Wilson Omene: NELFUND, Vocational Centres Show Tinubu’s Commitment To Education

Chief Wilson Omene, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, has identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the expansion of technical and vocational training as key interventions through which President Bola Tinubu’s administration is seeking to improve access to education.

Omene said the government’s education policies demonstrated a commitment to providing opportunities for Nigerian students, particularly those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

He claimed that about two million students had benefited from NELFUND, describing the interest-free student loan scheme as an important intervention for young Nigerians struggling to finance their education.

According to him, the programme allows eligible students to obtain funding for their studies, with repayment expected to begin gradually after they secure gainful employment.

He dismissed concerns about repayment obligations, arguing that providing students with access to education was preferable to leaving them without the financial means to continue their studies.

Omene said the scheme could help students from low-income households acquire the qualifications needed to improve their prospects and contribute to national development.

He also cited the approval of new federal universities, including the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Kwale, Delta State, as part of the administration’s efforts to expand access to tertiary education.

The APC chieftain further claimed that more than 1,700 accredited technical and vocational education and training centres had been established across the country.

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He said vocational training was important for equipping young Nigerians with practical skills that could improve their employability and support economic growth.

Omene also pointed to increased funding for tertiary institutions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, describing the intervention as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen higher education.

On industrial relations, he argued that sustaining peace in the education sector under a democratic government required considerable political will and effective engagement.

He recalled the period of the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, as one of the periods he remembered for relative industrial peace in education, but noted that maintaining such stability under democratic governance presented different challenges.

According to Omene, a democratic administration must manage competing interests and engage stakeholders rather than rely on the authority associated with military rule.

He maintained that the Tinubu administration’s education initiatives should be assessed alongside the broader challenges facing the country.

The APC chieftain said the reforms were intended not only to expand access to education but also to strengthen institutions and create opportunities for young people.

He urged Nigerians to consider the long-term implications of the policies, arguing that sustained investment in education and skills development was necessary for national progress.