The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, on Monday said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) introduced by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has drastically reduced the financial burden faced by Nigeria students in tertiary institutions.
Prof Omoregie said since his assumption into office, students have been encouraged to enrol in the initiative, leading to the rise in enrollment from 300 to 6, 560 on the NELFUND.
The VC, who spoke at the 51st and 55th Pre-convocation and Founders Day press briefing at the University also disclosed that 198 students obtained first class degree from the 14, 083 graduates
Ha said, “The University under my stewardship has vigorously and systematically encouraged students enrolment into the Nigerian Education Trust fund (NELFUND). NELFUND is a federal government initiative designed to accelerate students’ access to funding for their tertiary education.
“From an initial enrolment figure of about 300 in the 2023/2024 academic session before I assumed office, the figure rose astronomically to 6,560 in the 2024/2025 academic session.”
He applauded PresidentTinubu for establishing NELFUND to significantly reduce the financial stress of students in acquiring tertiary education.
The Vice Chancellor also added that other great strides have been recorded by his administration with five new faculties created while fifteen new programmes were approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the institution.
“This is the direct positive outcome of our efforts in the last over eleven months since assumption of office as Vice Chancellor to upscale the postgraduate degree programmes offered by the University of Benin,” Omoregie said.