A Non-Governmental Organization Ireede-Oginni Grassroots Foundation has lauded the appointment of a renowned banker and businessman, Mr. Jim Ovia, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), calling on him to use his vast experience in the financial sector to ensure smooth take off of the scheme and easy access to the loans being provided for students to enable them enjoy uninterrupted quality education in higher Institutions of learning in the country
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Friday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the appointment of Ovia, as the Chairman of the Board of (NELFUND) to facilitate formal take off of 'Higher Education Access Loan Scheme ' which has received applications from over 1.2million applicants from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education
Founder of the foundation,Chief (Mrs) Funmilayo Ireede-Oginni in statement on Saturday charged Ovia to justify the confidence the president has in him, by
bringing his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to bear on the all-important national assignment
The foundation tasked him to focus on advancing the Tinubu's vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds.
Ireede-Oginni who is also founder of Future Promise Group of Schools Abeokuta, Ogun State and Chief Executive Officer of an emerging business conglomerate, Terra Integrated Services Limited, stressed the need for Ovia to ensure actualization of the major objective of the students' loan Scheme
The major objective of the loan Scheme ,is to ensure Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.
She reinstated the commitment of her foundation to empowering of the less priviledged women in the society and provision of scholarship to the brilliant children from poor families to enable actualize their dreams for the future
Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.
“The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
President Tinubu had on April 3, signed the National Students Loan Amendment bill into law.
The amended bill was signed after he initially signed the student loan bill into law back in June 2023, to offer financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
Following the earlier signing of the bill, its implementation faced delays due to various issues hindering its rollout.
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