The Presidency has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s confidence in the power, resilience, and creativity of Nigerian students while urging student union leaders to serve as responsible partners in nation-building.
Senior Special Adviser to the President on Students Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, conveyed this message on Friday at the Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement in Kebbi State, which brought together student leaders from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. He noted that the meeting was not just another gathering but a platform designed to bring government closer to the students and youths of Nigeria.
Asefon emphasised that under the leadership of President Tinubu, the administration is committed to ensuring that education and youth policies are not only formulated in Abuja but are also effectively implemented across campuses, lecture halls, and communities where students live and thrive. He highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the transformative initiatives of the administration, created to make education more accessible and affordable.
As of 21 August 2025, NELFUND has disbursed over N92 billion to support students, with N51 billion allocated to institutional fees and over N41 billion released as upkeep allowances. Asefon said, “Mr. President believes in the power, resilience, and creativity of the Nigerian students, and it is our duty to justify that confidence by being responsible partners in nation-building. This engagement provides us the rare opportunity to sit with the heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Youth, who will share firsthand the various initiatives of government, the opportunities within their industries, and the pathways available for students to benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He stressed that bringing student leaders across the North West together amplifies the President’s vision while giving Nigerian students a seat at the table of national development. “This is a step towards bridging the gap between policy and impact, between government and the governed, and between aspiration and opportunity,” he added.
The Presidential aide also commended the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, for his commitment to education and youth development, particularly for hosting the programme and investing significantly in the education sector, which he described as a model for others across the federation.
