The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has applauded the Aliko Dangote Foundation for launching an unprecedented ₦100 billion annual scholarship program. This decade-long initiative will support over 1.3 million students nationwide.
The announcement came from NELFUND’s headquarters in Abuja on December 12, 2025. Furthermore, the scholarship program aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Private Sector Partnership Strengthens Education Access
Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiled the initiative in Lagos on December 11, 2025. Subsequently, NELFUND described it as a bold demonstration of private-sector collaboration.
Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, commended the Aliko Dangote Foundation for its visionary leadership. Moreover, he emphasized alignment with federal reform priorities.
“On behalf of NELFUND, we applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing collaborative solutions that strengthen our education system,” Mr. Sawyerr stated.
“The Dangote Foundation’s ₦100 billion annual scholarship scheme directly complements the President’s agenda to remove financial barriers for students and empower the next generation of Nigerian talent,” he added.
The Foundation’s commitment targets public secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Additionally, a significant portion focuses on STEM disciplines. In the first year, 45,000 students will receive support. By year four, this number increases to 155,000 beneficiaries annually.
NELFUND Commits to Collaborative Implementation
Mr. Sawyerr further emphasized NELFUND’s readiness to collaborate with the Dangote Foundation and government partners to ensure efficiency, transparency, and broad impact.
“NELFUND stands ready to engage, support, and work collaboratively to maximise the reach and effectiveness of this programme,” he declared.
“We are committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is denied educational opportunity due to financial constraints,” Mr. Sawyerr emphasized.
NELFUND operates under the Student Loans Act 2024. Primarily, it provides interest-free loans to eligible Nigerian students. Currently, it has disbursed over ₦22 billion to more than 215,000 students.
Building a Resilient Education Ecosystem
NELFUND reaffirmed that partnerships between the government, private sector, and development stakeholders are essential for building a resilient and inclusive education ecosystem.
The partnership demonstrates shared responsibility for national development. Both organizations recognize education’s critical role in transforming Nigeria’s future. Consequently, millions of young Nigerians will benefit directly.
The Fund once again congratulated the Dangote Foundation for this historic achievement and expressed confidence that the initiative will leave a transformative legacy on Nigeria’s educational landscape.
The scholarship represents one of Africa’s largest private education investments. Significantly, 25 percent of scholarships are reserved for persons with disabilities. The program begins implementation in 2026 and will operate continuously for ten years.