by President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Jim Ovia, a distinguished banker and entrepreneur, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This announcement was made in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday.
Ngelale highlighted Tinubu’s confidence in Ovia’s extensive experience and professional standing, expressing belief that Ovia will effectively further the critical vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student faces discontinuation of their pursuit of higher education due to financial constraints.
According to Ngelale, Ovia’s mandate includes facilitating access to higher education and skill development opportunities for Nigerian youths, regardless of their background, with the aim of fostering their productivity and contribution to the knowledge-based global economy.
Mr. Ovia, renowned for founding one of Nigeria’s leading banks and for his significant contributions to nurturing and empowering young Nigerians, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.
The statement emphasized the importance of the National Student Loan Programme, administered by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, in ensuring sustainable higher education and skill development for Nigerian students and youths. It underscored the necessity of appointing individuals of exceptional professional caliber to guide and oversee this critical initiative.
The appointment of Jim Ovia comes in the wake of President Tinubu’s signing of the National Students Loan Amendment bill into law on April 3. The amended bill, aimed at providing financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions, reinforces the government’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and combating poverty through education.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for the swift handling of the bill, reaffirming the government’s dedication to ensuring that education receives the attention it deserves. He emphasized the importance of inclusive access to quality education and skills development programs for all Nigerian citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
President Tinubu’s appointment of Jim Ovia and the enactment of the amended National Students Loan bill signal a concerted effort to address educational challenges and promote socioeconomic development through education in Nigeria.
