The University of Calabar is working in partnership with the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), an agency of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of providing interest-free loans to students.
The partnership was announced during a sensitization visit led by NELFUND’s Managing Director, Mr Akintunde Sawyer, to the Vice Chancellor’s office.
Speaking at the University Council Chamber, Mr Sawyer stated that the sensitization campaign, in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), aims to improve access to tertiary education for all Nigerian students.
He emphasized that the campaign is crucial in ensuring that every Nigerian student has access to the necessary financial resources to pursue their educational goals.
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Mr Sawyer attributed the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to education, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
He explained that NELFUND was established and empowered to provide interest-free loans for tuition fees and living expenses, repayable after graduation.
The Managing Director appealed to the University management to submit students details, including names, JAMB numbers, BVN, and Matric numbers, to the NELFUND portal for fund disbursement.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Linkages & Collaboration, Prof. Peter Okafor welcomed the partnership, noting that the University has commenced computing student details through the ICT director.
She reported that 13,000 out of 41,000 students’ details have been computed, with more to be added subsequently.
The University administrator expressed enthusiasm over the partnership and appealed to NELFUND to revisit the University for further sensitization when students return from break.
Present at the sensitization visit were Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Eno-Grace Nta, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. Angela Oyo Ita, Registrar, Mr Gabriel Egbe, Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Tony Eyang, Dean of Arts, Prof. Kyrian Ojong, Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Ajayi Omoogun, Director of ICT, Dr. Eyo Essien, Students Union President, Comr. Blessing Alims.
