Almost 9,000 students at federal universities in Nigeria’s North-West zone have so far benefitted from the government’s new student loan programme, as President Bola Tinubu’s administration seeks to expand opportunities for higher education.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), launched last year, is targeted at students from low- and middle-income families struggling to meet tuition and living costs. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, disclosed the figures on Tuesday in Kano during the government’s mid-term performance briefing.
He revealed that Bayero University Kano (BUK) had the highest number of beneficiaries nationwide. Disbursements to other institutions included ₦409 million to Federal University Dutsinma, ₦593 million to Federal University Dutse, and ₦578 million to Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Idris, represented by senior National Orientation Agency official Rabiu Ado, stressed that the scheme was part of wider educational reforms. The Federal College of Education, Kano, has been upgraded into a University of Education, while the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, has been transformed into a University of Science and Technology.
Beyond education, the minister pointed to sweeping infrastructure investments in the North-West, from housing and road construction to rail expansion. Work is underway on the Sokoto–Tambuwal–Jega, Birnin Kebbi–Sokoto, and Kano–Kaduna superhighway projects, alongside the Kano–Katsina–Jibia–Maradi rail line linking Nigeria with Niger Republic.
Energy projects such as the Kano–Daura–Katsina wind farm, the Zungeru power project in Zamfara, and the Kano Power Project are also aimed at boosting electricity reliability across the region.
“These initiatives underscore the government’s resolve to bridge infrastructure gaps, strengthen human capital, and promote economic growth in the North-West,” Idris said.
