One of 5 applying for students loan is female – NELFUND

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reported that male students are applying for the Federal Government’s zero-interest education loans at a 4:1 ratio compared to female students, urging more female students to take advantage of the initiative to bridge the gap.

The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, made this known during the NELFUND Women Forum Programme in Abuja on Monday, in celebration of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD).

He was represented by Ms. Oluwatosin Sanusi, NELFUND’s Head of Investments and Funds Management.

Sawyerr pointed out that female students were not utilizing the loan opportunities as much as their male counterparts. The ratio of female applicants to male applicants is 1:4, a figure he described as unimpressive.

“The NELFUND initiative is all about providing loans for students in tertiary institutions, to pay for their fees and to take care of their welfare. 

“Currently we have a ratio of 4 to 1, which means for every four male applicants, we have just one female, which isn’t impressive.”

To address the low participation rate, Sawyerr stated that NELFUND was collaborating with women stakeholders to increase awareness of the loan initiative and its benefits.

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However, he also stressed that loan repayment was crucial for the sustainability of the programme.

“Timely repayment would allow for the expansion of the initiative, enabling more students across all government-owned institutions to benefit,” he noted.

He further clarified that the education loan was accessible to students at various levels in universities and polytechnics within federal and state-owned institutions, while the skill acquisition loan extended beyond tertiary students.

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmed, praised the Federal Government’s commitment to gender equity and urged female students to seize educational opportunities. Represented by Dr. Mufida Hussain, she stressed the need for bold action to break barriers and highlighted government investments in gender-balanced initiatives to ensure financial constraints do not hinder girls’ education.

Ms. Choice Enebeli, the National President of Female Students of Nigeria, praised NELFUND’s efforts in advocating for more female applications.

“Women’s rights are human rights, and we must continue to strive for a world where women and girls have equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership positions,” she said.

Enebeli pledged to spearhead an awareness campaign on the educational loan across the country to encourage more female students to apply.

Mrs. Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, encouraged female students to be proactive in seeking opportunities rather than waiting for them. She emphasized the importance of taking initiative and claiming available opportunities.

One of 5 applying for students loan is female – NELFUND

Workers of Oyo tertiary institutions begin indefinite strike

Workers at five Oyo State government-owned tertiary institutions have begun an indefinite strike.

The workers, in a statement on Monday, noted that strike action became necessary due to non-payment of minimum wage and unresolved salary disputes.

The institutions involved are The Polytechnic, Ibadan; The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki; Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa; Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora; and Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate.

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The Joint Action Committee (JAC) stated that the decision to embark on strike came after extensive discussions among the unions.

It added that the strike was a necessary measure to urge the state government to fulfil its obligations.

It said, “Declaration of Indefinite Strike by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State-Owned Tertiary Institutions

“The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising 15 unions across the five state-owned tertiary institutions in Oyo State, hereby declares an indefinite strike action commencing on Monday, March 10, 2025.

“This decision was reached after extensive deliberations and consultations among the unions, following the inability of the management of the affected institutions to address the longstanding issues of non-implementation of the approved 25/35% salary increase being enjoyed by our colleagues in other institutions since January 2024 and the new minimum wage for workers in the Polytechnic and College of education sector.”

Workers of Oyo tertiary institutions begin indefinite strike

Over two million candidates register for 2025 UTME, JAMB closes registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has closed registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A total of 2,030,627 candidates completed their registration, allowing them to participate in the UTME scheduled for April 25, 2025.

Recall that JAMB recently informed that the registration process, which began on February 3, 2025, would end on March 8, 2025, adding that unlike in the past, there would be no extension.

In its Monday weekly bulletin, JAMB revealed that with the closure of the UTME registration, preparations for the annual examination are now in full swing.

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This number excludes the candidates registered for examination at foreign centers.

Additionally, 200,115 candidates expressed interest in taking the optional mock UTME, which is set for April 5, 2025. Among these, 630 candidates have registered for the trial mock examination, which will also occur on the same date.

The bulletin read in part: “This year, the Board has implemented several innovative measures to deter cheating and maintain the integrity of the examination process.

“These measures have already led to multiple arrests of candidates attempting to use forged A-level results for admission, highlighting the effectiveness of the new system designed to detect such fraud.

“Candidates are strongly advised to adhere to the examination rules and regulations and refrain from any dishonest practices during the examination.“

Over two million candidates register for 2025 UTME, JAMB closes registration