Education

Kwara Gov Swears-In SA on Education Inaugurates Committee On University of Education

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2023

…It’s a great vision, a step in the right direction: Prof Oba

Joel Ajayi

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Friday swore in the new Special Adviser on Education Dr. Ariyike Salau, with the Governor saying that her appointment was to strengthen the policy direction in the education sector of the state.

AbdulRazaq said the administration is taking all necessary steps to bequeath an education system that gives every Kwara child a fair shot in the race of life.

“One of the legacies we want to leave for this state is a strong education system that gives every Kwara child a fair shot in the race of life. We want to ensure that our education offers learning outcomes that align with the 21st-century realities,” the Governor said late Friday in Ilorin, the state capital.

“Over the last four years, we have made significant investments in school infrastructure, sanitation facilities, information communication technology, recruitment of quality teachers, and prompt payment of their salaries, among other steps. We will do a lot more within the constraints of resources as the government also has a duty to build infrastructure that supports a stronger economy and ensures that no segment of society is left behind.

“The appointment of a renowned expert to join our great team will strengthen our policy direction in the education sector, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This is necessary to give solid backgrounds to our children at the basic and senior secondary levels.”

The Governor similarly inaugurated the committee on the establishment of the proposed Kwara State University of Education which is chaired by educationist and former Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem.

Other members of the committee include Deacon Pastor Afolayan J. Babatunde (Secretary); Prof. (Mrs) Medinat Salman; Prof. (Mrs) Sidikat F. Adeyemi; Prof. Umar Gunu; Engineer Sa’ad Belgore; Mrs. Risikat Lawal; Femi Aina; former Special Adviser on Special Duties Alhaji Abubakar Abdul-Razaq Jiddah; and a representative each of the Ministries of Housing and Urban Development and Justice.

The Governor said: “I am proud to inaugurate this afternoon the committee of top educationists, bureaucrats, and patriots who have been selected to midwife the establishment of the proposed Kwara State University of Education. This is a historic duty.

“I trust the committee to do a great job that would become a shining legacy for all of us.”

He congratulated the appointees and thanked them for agreeing to serve the state, pledging to give them the support to succeed.

The brief ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor Prince Abdul Kadir Mahe; Senior Adviser and Counselor Alhaji Sa’adu Salau; Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu; and Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr. Mary Arinde.

Chairman, of the Committee on Study, Planning, and Implementation of the proposed Kwara State University of Education, Prof Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, for his part, commended the Governor’s foresight and commitment to advancing the state’s education system, calling it the right step in the right direction.

“I must begin by appreciating the foresight and commitment of Your Excellency in always thinking about the advancement of education in Kwara State, especially your decision to establish a University of Education. It is the right step in the right direction. That again confirms the leadership of Kwara in the whole of North Central and in Nigeria in innovation in education,” he said.

He said universities of education are the next thing that the system requires to nurture a knowledge-based economy, noting that the credit goes to AbdulRazaq if Kwara is at the forefront of establishing that in the region.

He assured that the committee will work hard towards the realization of the objectives.

“When you first discussed this idea with me, I almost thought it was one of those political things, but knowing you and having worked with you on this project thus far, I know you have the commitment to the people of Kwara State to deliver to them education worthy of our status,” Professor Oba added.

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Education

NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access

Published

3 days ago

May 7, 2025

The Gleamer

Mariam Abeeb

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has assured students it was working assiduously towards building a technology driven system that would improve easy access to its loans.

This was as the FUND disclosed that no fewer than 320,000 students have thus far been paid with many more currently undergoing verification process to enable their payments.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr gave the assurances in Abuja, while addressing Polytechnics , Monotechnics and Institutes at a Stakeholders Engagement Session/ Technical Workshop on NELFUND System Automation and Loan Application Processes.

Sawyerr noted that the FUND was targeting a platform where students could access loan with confidence and without stress in a manner that was transparent and accountable.

He said: “At NELFUND our mission goes beyond giving loans. It’s about opening doors, it’s about making sure every young Nigerian who is willing to learn and grow has a real shot regardless of their background, location, or chosen path of study.

“For too long, many students, especially in technical institutions, have faced steep financial barriers; some drop out, others have never even applied. This is the gap we at NELFUND are here to close. But we know we can’t do it alone.

“This is a shared mission. It belongs to all of us, government institutions and the private sector alike. This technical workshop marks a major step forward.

“We’re not only providing financing, we’re building a technology-driven system that makes it easier for students to apply, for institutions to verify, and for funds to be disbursed with speed, fairness, and accountability.

“We’re aiming for access without stress, a platform students can use with confidence; transparency and trust so that no one is left wondering where their application stands; partnership with purpose because your feedback, your data, and your cooperation are critical to making this work. We rely on you as our institutional partners to help us bring this vision to life.”

Sawyerr who commended the institutions for providing technical expertise, practical hands-on training that fuels industries and empowers communities over the years, said besides teaching skills, they have built careers, created employers and strengthened economies.

“You know your students, you understand their struggles, your insights will help us tailor this system to reflect the realities on ground, not just assumptions on paper.

“To NBTE, we value your steady leadership in shaping and regulating technical education. Your collaboration is key as we move forward fully.”

The NELFUND boss urged the institutions to partner with the FUND to deliver a system that was not just functional or sustainable, but one that was transformative

“As we move forward fully, integrating NELFUND processes with institutional systems and standards, let us remember at the heart of all of this is a student, a young Nigerian with dreams, with ambition, and the courage to pursue them. Everything we do must serve that student.

“The only way to make it happen is by working together, listening to one another, and staying grounded in real-world challenges. I encourage you all to engage fully today share what’s working and what is not, and together let’s build something that lasts.”

NELFUND ‘s Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, disclosed that apart from the 320,000 students who have so far been paid, more verifications are currently ongoing.

Mustapha, who explained that the failure of not having the number of registered students tally with the number of students whose application process was deemed successful was from the part of students and not NELFUND, said there was an urgent need to bridge the gap.

He also disclosed that the FUND was considering connecting directly to institution’s portal to get the data they need, and how student could apply to their institutions portal without necessarily reaching out to NELFUND.

“One other thing that we’re trying to do going forward is to send some of our IT to all the institutions so that we can see how possible it is we connect directly to your portal instead of saying please send us data. How can we connect using an API which makes it easier to get the data of any student coming to us directly from your portal and not from our portal. So we don’t need to be collecting any data again.

“At the same time, we’re thinking of seeing how is it possible that a student can apply to your portal without coming to us. So it makes it so easy for the student when they’re doing registration, when they’re doing payments, they can select either to apply for NELFUND loans and the process will go through your portal. So you have all the data without ever reaching to NELFUND. All we need is for you to give assurance these are your students and if we have that, we pay you directly. It makes it simpler and faster for all the students.”

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