FG Urges Students to Embrace AI, Coding as NELFUND Disburses ₦282 Billion

Federal Government Says Digital Skills Are Essential for Future Workforce as Student Loan Beneficiaries Reach 1.5 Million              

                     

The Federal Government has urged Nigerian students to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), coding, robotics and other digital skills to prepare for opportunities in the global digital economy, as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) disclosed that it has disbursed more than ₦282 billion to students across the country.

The call was made during the Renewed Hope Students' Engagement and Digital Acceleration Programme held at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where selected students received laptop computers to support digital learning and innovation.

Government Pushes Digital Transformation

Representing the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, government officials said Nigeria must invest aggressively in innovation and technology to remain competitive in the global knowledge economy.

The ministry stated that President Bola Tinubu's administration is committed to building "a globally competitive, innovation-driven and technology-powered economy" through education, research and digital development initiatives.

Students were encouraged to go beyond traditional academic qualifications by acquiring practical digital skills.

"Learn coding. Master Artificial Intelligence tools. Develop software applications. Build innovative solutions. Acquire cybersecurity skills. Explore robotics. Create digital enterprises. Solve local problems using global technologies," the minister said.

NELFUND Disburses ₦282 Billion

Speaking at the event, NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr disclosed that the Federal Government's student loan programme has continued to expand rapidly.

According to him:

• More than 1.7 million students have submitted applications.
• About 1.5 million applications have been processed.
• Over ₦282 billion has been disbursed to beneficiaries across 288 tertiary institutions nationwide.
• Approximately ₦183 billion has been paid directly to institutions for tuition, while nearly ₦98 billion has been released to students as upkeep allowances.

Sawyerr described the initiative as one of the largest education financing programmes in Nigeria's history.

More Students Encouraged to Apply

The NELFUND boss urged students, particularly those in the South-East, to take advantage of the interest-free loan scheme, noting that many prospective beneficiaries still misunderstand how the programme operates.

He emphasised that beneficiaries are not required to begin repayment until they secure employment, adding that repayments are suspended if graduates subsequently lose their jobs. He also stressed that recipients will not be restricted from travelling abroad for further studies or employment because they benefited from the loan programme.

Expanding Access to Education

Government officials also revealed plans to broaden the programme to include vocational institutions and skills acquisition centres, enabling millions more Nigerians to benefit from education financing.

The initiative forms part of the administration's broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve access to higher education while equipping young Nigerians with the digital and technical skills required in an increasingly technology-driven world.