Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has suspended its policy of requiring students to present proof of fee payment before sitting for examinations, provided they are registered for student loans under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
According to The PUNCH, the rector of the polytechnic, Sylvester Omoruyi, announced the decision during a sensitization program organized by NELFUND on the school’s main campus on Tuesday.
“The issue of sending students out during examinations is now over. We will no longer be checking payment slips. Instead, we will verify registration on the NELFUND portal. If you are registered, there will be no need to remove you from the exam hall,” Omoruyi stated.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for launching the student loan initiative and acknowledged the Edo State government’s support in ensuring its implementation. Omoruyi also praised NELFUND for easing the financial burden on students by covering tuition and upkeep costs.
Speaking at the event, NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, expressed concern over the polytechnic’s delay in submitting student data for loan registration.
Represented by Lami Suwaid, Director of Loan Allocation and Distribution, Sawyerr urged the institution to utilize the new registration window for the 2024/2025 academic session.
“During the 2023/2024 session, NELFUND successfully enrolled 259 institutions and disbursed billions of naira to students. However, institutions in the South-South and South-East recorded the lowest registration rates. We hope to see an improvement,” he said.
Edo State’s Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring every student in the state has access to education through the loan scheme.
“Every Edo child must have the opportunity to pursue education. With NELFUND, students no longer need to depend on family members abroad for financial support. We are providing a platform for you to achieve your dreams and prevent school dropouts,” Iyamu stated.
He encouraged students to take advantage of the initiative, emphasizing that dedication and commitment would ensure their academic success.
Many students at the polytechnic welcomed the development, including Oboh Victor, a Business Administration student, who described the loan scheme as a game-changer.
“This initiative will help many students focus on their education without worrying about financial constraints,” Victor said.
