Victoria Mbangwa
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has launched a game-changing initiative to offer zero-interest loans for vocational and technical training, starting with skill centres in Enugu and expanding to over 10 states across the country.
The executive director of operations at NELFUND, Iyal Mustapha, made the announcement during a sensitisation tour in Enugu, where the management team visited the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu College of Education Technical, a technical school, and the MSME Clinics Fashion and Garment Hub.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Mustapha emphasized that the loan programme is designed to remove financial barriers for Nigerians interested in acquiring hands-on skills in trades such as fashion design, technical crafts, and other vocational areas. “So the support is we are going to pay for their training costs, and we are going to be giving them upkeep at the end of the day. And they will have some working tools when they finish their training.“ he said.
He further explained that while the exact amount for monthly upkeep is still being finalized, institutional costs, including transportation, will be included in the loan package. “Our goal is to support Nigerians from enrollment to employment,” Mustapha added.
Enugu State has been chosen as one of the pilot locations, praised for its readiness and thriving skill development hubs. “It’s very positive for us at NELFUND, and Enugu will be one of our first states, one of the first states we’re going to start. I will not say that Enugu will be the only state, but one of the first states to start with. So, one of our mandates is to support vocational skills,” Mustapha said.
During a visit to the Fashion Hub, Mustapha lauded its capacity and equipment, noting the presence of over 150 industrial sewing machines and monogramming machines, with the potential to train over 300 individuals at a time.
Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and SME Development and Director General of the Enugu SME Center, expressed the state’s enthusiasm to partner with NELFUND.
Echoing the positive reception, Mrs. Patricia Nwanneka, Acting Registrar of IMT, said the awareness campaign would encourage more students to take advantage of the opportunity. “My perception is that I like it, the loan is good. At least now that they have gotten more knowledge. And even after you people have left, we will go on to educate more of them, inculcating them into applying for the loan.”
With the vocational loan programme expanding to more than 10 states, NELFUND’s initiative marks a major shift in Nigeria’s education and employment strategy turning practical skills into powerful economic tools for a new generation.
