By Idris Rufai
Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
As a concerned citizen and a voice representing the hopes and aspirations of Nigerian students, parents and the wider population, I wish to acknowledge your administration’s efforts towards improving access to education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The initiative has offered hope to many students who might otherwise struggle to finance their education. We appreciate this intervention and sincerely hope that this commitment to supporting ordinary Nigerians through education will be sustained beyond your administration.
However, while access to education is important, what happens after graduation deserves equal attention.
Mr President, this is an appeal for the expansion and development of NELFUND into a programme that does not only finance students’ education but also provides a structured pathway to employment after graduation.
We believe in the possibility of a Nigeria where young graduates can secure meaningful employment, contribute to national development and repay the support they received from the government. We believe in your administration’s commitment to transforming the country, and we hope this vision can be extended to the future of NELFUND beneficiaries.
One practical approach would be to introduce an employment support component into the NELFUND system. Under this proposal, eligible beneficiaries who successfully complete their academic programmes and participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could be connected to available employment opportunities through a dedicated employment portal.
Such opportunities could be provided through partnerships between the Federal Government, state governments, private companies, industries, reputable organisations and other employers across the country.
We understand that the Federal Government alone cannot provide jobs for every graduate. However, through strategic partnerships with private organisations and other sectors of the economy, the government can create a more sustainable system that connects qualified graduates with available vacancies.
For instance, NELFUND beneficiaries could receive employment notifications through their registered portal, with information.
This proposal would serve two important purposes. First, it would help graduates transition from academic life into the labour market, reducing the frustration of unemployment among young Nigerians. Second, it could strengthen the long term sustainability of NELFUND by improving beneficiaries’ ability to meet their loan repayment obligations when they secure stable employment.
Of course, employment should be based on qualifications, competence, available vacancies and fair recruitment procedures, rather than an automatic entitlement. Nevertheless, establishing a reliable employment support system would give beneficiaries greater confidence that the government is concerned not only about their education but also about their future.
Mr President, the goal is not simply to recover the funds provided to students. It is to build a system in which government investment in education produces meaningful returns for individuals, families and the nation.
Imagine a situation where a student receives financial assistance through NELFUND, completes their studies, participates in NYSC and subsequently receives access to verified employment opportunities through the same platform. With a stable source of income, such a graduate would be better positioned to repay the loan, support their family and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
This is how education financing can become a long term investment in human capital development rather than merely a temporary financial intervention.
I therefore appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the management of NELFUND to consider this proposal as part of the next phase of the programme’s development.
A system that supports students through school and helps connect them to opportunities after graduation would represent a more comprehensive approach to educational development in Nigeria.
NELFUND should not only help Nigerians graduate; it should also help them find a pathway to productive lives after graduation.
Nigeria’s students believe in the possibility of a better future. Parents believe in the value of education, and citizens continue to hope for a country where hard work and academic qualifications can translate into meaningful opportunities.
Mr President, we believe this vision is possible. What is needed is the political will, strategic planning and institutional collaboration to make it happen.
The future of Nigerian graduates deserves more than a certificate. It deserves an opportunity.
– Idris Rufai
idrisrufai744@gmail.com
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