By Eve Omayrs
In a significant relief for students, the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has suspended its policy of enforcing fee payment for those applying for student loans through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This decision was announced by the institution’s Rector, Sylvester Omoruyi, during a sensitization program organized by NELFUND at the polytechnic’s main campus on Tuesday.
Omoruyi assured students that those registered on the NELFUND portal would no longer be barred from sitting for examinations due to unpaid fees. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the scheme, describing it as a game-changer in Nigeria’s education sector. The rector also lauded the Edo State government for its unwavering support and praised NELFUND’s efforts in easing students’ financial burdens through tuition coverage and upkeep allowances.
Speaking on behalf of NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, the organization’s representative, Lami Suwaid, urged the polytechnic to submit student data for formal registration into the scheme. Suwaid highlighted that institutions in the South-South and South-East regions had recorded the lowest enrollment rates, calling for increased participation to maximize the scheme’s benefits.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring every Edo child has access to quality education. He emphasized that the loan scheme would reduce students' dependence on financial support from relatives abroad, making education more accessible to all.
Expressing excitement about the initiative, a Business Administration student, Oboh Victor, stated that many students were eager to benefit from the program, as it would help them pursue their education without financial hardship.
With this development, Edo Polytechnic joins the growing list of institutions embracing President Tinubu’s education reform, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to expanding access to higher education for all Nigerians.