Education

Make tourism studies compulsory in schools, expert tells FG

Published

4 years ago

October 27, 2021

Mrs Nanna Yakubu, a Tourism professional has called on the Federal Government to make the study of tourism as a subject compulsory in schools to harness its benefit.

Yakubu made this call at her official book launch titled “Introduction to Tourism Studies for Schools and Colleges” in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said that what inspired her to write the book was to help the Nigerian children understand the country’s tourism so as to benefit from the industry.

According to her, getting the vision early will no doubt enable them understand the requirements and sway them into better decision making in the tourism sector.

“This will further sway them toward making good decisions for the industry in future. It’s believed that when we cash them young, they will be more informed.

“And the younger generation needs to be properly trained and adequately informed to be knowledgeable about tourism assets and opportunities in Nigeria and with that
they can build careers in the sector.”

Yakubu further explained that the narratives of how the book began and was gradually nurtured to the end was as a result of her ardent belief and passion for tourism especially here in Nigeria.

“The journey of my book started ten years ago when I was engaged in an adhoc assignment as one of the resource persons to plan, develop and critic tourism as a curriculum to be inculcated in schools as an
entrepreneurial subject.

“During the assignment, we had very little local resource materials to work with and we had to refer mostly to foreign educational writers on tourism.

“During this period, we discovered there was a widening gap.

“The idea came to me that if we want our schools to understand the Nigerian tourism sector, we must use our local materials, illustrations and examples for them to comprehend,”she further explained.

The tourism expert also noted that Nigeria was blessed with tourist attractions
ranging from cultural, natural and manmade attractions, hence “this catch them young project could be achieved with all of us putting our hands together.”

Earlier, in his remarks, Dr Taiwo Famogbiyele, the book reviewer noted that the study of tourism in schools and colleges would certainly add value to knowledge.

Famogbiyele, who is also the Director of Studies, National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism said that its study would enhance the understanding of Nigerian tourism space.

Also in her speech, the Commissioner for Tourism, Plateau state, Mrs Tamwakat Weli,
tourism had been identified as the next economic grower of nations and in Nigeria as the next option to oil.

Weli, who was represented by the General Manager, Plataeu state Tourism Corporation, Jos, Mrs Salome Bidda, commended the efforts of the author in contributing to the growth
and development of the sector.

“As Tourism grows through her
enormous contributions, it has become necessary that the general populace should understand what tourism is all about,
to be able to cue in for maximum benefits.

“This book therefore
provides insights to the correct processes of Tourism Development and study of Tourism in the Nation’s Secondary schools and Colleges.

“This book will no doubt bring an
improvement on Tourism Studies. The benefits no doubt, will be felt at every level of the diverse sectors of our economy.,” she said.

The book titled “Introduction to Tourism Studies for Schools and Colleges”,
a research work of many years was published in August 2020.

It was subsequently submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education for assessment through the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council

The book having met the requirements and approval was recommended as a textbook for schools and colleges in Nigeria.

The author, Nanna Yakubu is a Tourism professional, who works with Nigerian Tourism Department Corporation.

Share on Facebook

Education

NELFUND assures students of smart system to improve loan access

Published

4 weeks 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.”

Share on Facebook