The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has revealed that its national student loan scheme is now being prepared for expansion to cover a wider range of educational pathways, including vocational training and skills acquisition programmes. This marks a significant shift from its initial exclusive focus on students enrolled in higher institutions across Nigeria.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, made this known during an interview granted to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. Okay News reports that Sawyerr described the new direction as part of the larger vision of the Federal Government to strengthen skills development among young people and working adults.
He explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to promoting inclusive human capital growth that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional university education. The Nigerian President, who leads Africa’s most populous nation, has repeatedly emphasised the importance of technical and vocational capacity building in national development. Sawyerr referenced this broader objective, saying the country needs not only scholars but also skilled individuals who can apply knowledge practically.
“No nation is built solely by philosophers. It is very important to have people who can use their hands, energy, strength, and skills to put into action the clever ideas that come from those emerging from academic institutions,” he said.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, created to support students with financial needs, has so far concentrated on learners in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Sawyerr stated that new frameworks are now being developed to ensure that individuals in technical and vocational programmes also gain access to financial assistance. This includes those learning trades such as automotive repairs, construction, welding, hospitality, and information technology.
According to Sawyerr, Nigeria’s next stage of national development requires an intentional balance between academic advancement and technical competence. He noted that several ministries have been mandated by the Federal Government to strengthen skills development.
“At the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, we have a mandate to also do vocational skills. We have not started yet, but I know that the President Bola Tinubu administration has ensured that there is full coverage around the skills issue. The Ministry of Youth Development is doing skills, the Ministry of Education is involved in skills and the Ministry of Digital Economy is involved in information technology soft skills,” he said.
Sawyerr also explained that the national push for technical training is a collective government effort. He stressed that Nigeria’s economic growth depends on a workforce that can design, build, and operate essential structures and innovations.
“So, skills are something that many departments of government have been charged with doing. And I think it is very clear that an engineer who can build, is better than an engineer who can just design. The stage that we are in this country now is what I would call, the design, build, and operate stage,” he added.
