Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) praises the Aliko Dangote Foundation for launching a ₦100 billion yearly scholarship programme projected to support more than 1.3 million students across public secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide.
The long-term initiative, designed to run for ten years, is described by NELFUND as a landmark private-sector intervention that complements government efforts to widen access to quality education under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The scholarship scheme was formally unveiled in Lagos, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing the President at the event.
NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, in a statement on Saturday commends the Dangote Foundation for what he calls a forward-looking investment in Nigeria’s human capital. “This programme reflects a shared commitment to reducing the financial pressure on students and their families while strengthening ongoing education reforms,” Sawyerr says.
He notes that the Federal Government continues to encourage partnerships that address structural gaps in education financing, stressing that large-scale interventions are critical to nurturing future talent and sustaining national development.
Sawyerr explains that the scholarship’s strong focus on public institutions and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) aligns with Nigeria’s need to build skills for economic competitiveness and innovation.
According to him, NELFUND is prepared to collaborate with the Dangote Foundation and relevant public agencies to ensure effective implementation and measurable impact.
He adds that the initiative reinforces the role of private philanthropy in complementing public funding, especially at a time when rising costs threaten access to education for vulnerable students.
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