Education

European – American University confers award of professorship on Dr. Aliyu Idris

Published

7 months ago

November 10, 2024

…. Appointed as an Ambassador of peace by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).

The European – American University, Common Wealth of Domican Republic of Panama, has confered the special assistant on technical matters to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Aliyu Idris, with the award of professorship in Financial Management.

The occasion, which took place on Saturday, 9th November 2024, at the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Embassy. Wuse 2 Abuja also marked his induction as an ambassador for peace by the organisation

The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Paul Baro, who is also a retired general of the Nigerian army, congratulated all the awardees and encouraged them to continue their selfless service to humanity. He described a typical Nigerian as a person who is selfless and dedicated to the wellbeing of his neighbour while recalling the remarkable role that Nigeria played to gain independence for several African nations as well as to restore peace in many others. He therefore urged Nigerians to take pride in their nation.

In his welcome address, the northern representative of the university, Dr. Musari Audu Isyaka disclosed that the conferment was due to the exemplary achievements, dedication, commitment to excellence in his field and outstanding contribution to the development of countless individuals by the recipient.

Also speaking, the president of UPF Rev Imo Nkanta who was assisted by his wife Mrs. Juliet Nkanta to present the Certificate of the award of an Ambassador for peace by the Universal Peace Federation to Professor Aliyu Idris extolled his sterling qualities .

The Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Dr. Muhammad Bello Shehu OFR, who was represented by the member representing Kebbi State in the Commission, Hon. Barr. Rakiya Tanko Haruna expressed joy over the awards of recognition given to Dr. Idris Aliyu.

She said, ” The feeling is quite incredible. He is an exemplary Staff. Dr, Aliyu Idris, being confered with a professorship award in Financial Management, demonstrates the quality of staff that we have in the Commission.” I have watched him work on several occasions, he delivers, so I’m really happy and I think he deserves these professorship and Ambassador of peace awards.” She added.

In his paper presentation on Fiscal Management and National Development, Professor Idris talked about the Nigerian economy in comparison to the economies of other emerging nations in Africa and advanced countries.

The paper focused on domestic revenue mobilisation, equitable allocation of resources, debt management and control, public spending and national development. The paper also discussed how revenue can be pooled together into the federation account, equitably allocated to the three tiers of government and distributed to the various sectors of the economy for national development.

Professor Idris noted the improvement in the non oil sector from taxes, though , not yet there, but advised for the fiscal framework to create more incentives to bring informal sector to the tax net. Prof. Idris attributed the poor contribution of solid minerals revenue to lack of proper fiscal framework in the sector and poor investment. He observed that the contribution of solid minerals to the national coffers in spite of its abundance in the country is absymaly low compared to other African countries. He therefore advised the Nigeria government to take the fiscal framework in this sector very seriously and create funding for exploration and ready data for acquisition to attract foreign investors to the sector.

The Professor emphasised the need to harness its potentials to get Nigeria out of low revenue crises.He also identified low revenue from the oil sector to the Federation account in post PIA implementation and advised the National Assembly to revisit the fiscal framework in the PIA for improvement. Prof. Idris cited the low production in Nigeria oil sector compared to other oil producing countries as one of the major challenges accountable for the low revenue contributions to the Federation Account

He pointed out other challenges facing the oil sector of the economy to include insecurity, corruption, and high operational cost .

He supported the decision of the Federal government on harmonization of revenue collection and called for the need to properly fund the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission ( RMAFC) so as to enable it mobilise revenue and monitori it efficiently. On National Development, Prof. Idris advised the government to amend the constitution to ensure that the responsibility of the Federal Government on Agriculture is given to the Local Government under Residual legislative list where farming is taking place and create the database for the farmers at the local government level for proper utilisation of the resources and intervention to enable the country boast of food security while the Federal Government could retain only the regulatory roles.

Professor Aliyu Idris was born on the 25th of July 1980 at Odu – Ogboyaga, Dekina local government of Kogi State.

He attended LGEA Primary School Odu Ogboyaga from 1983 to 1988. He graduated from Ikanni Ebo Memorial College in 1998

Between the years 2000 and 2004, professor Idris attended the University of Maiduguri, where he graduated with a B.Sc degree in Accounting and Finance. Later in the year 2014 he earned a M.Sc degree in Accounting and Finance from Nassarawa State University, and in the year 2018, he obtained a Ph. D in Accounting and Finance from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Professor Idris started his career with the defunct Oceanic bank, where he served in various capacities. He later joined the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. He currently serves as the special assistant on technical matters to the Chairman of the Commission.

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Education

NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access

Published

1 month 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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