Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing the initiative as a major step toward improving access to tertiary education across the country.

Adeola, popularly known as Yayi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ogun State election, spoke on Sunday in Abeokuta during the presentation of scholarships and bursaries to 5,312 students drawn from tertiary institutions across the state.

The lawmaker said education remains one of the strongest tools for national development and human capital growth, noting that his annual scholarship programme was created to ensure that financially disadvantaged but deserving students are able to complete their studies.

He disclosed that the latest round of awards brings the total number of beneficiaries under the initiative to more than 10,000 within the past three years.

Adeola said the programme complements President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Dapo Abiodun’s education initiatives, adding that the Federal Government’s student loan programme had already made a significant impact.

According to him, more than ₦206 billion has been disbursed through NELFUND to over one million students in 270 tertiary institutions nationwide.

He explained that 1,735 students received scholarships under the programme, with university students awarded ₦200,000 each, while beneficiaries in polytechnics and colleges of education received ₦150,000 each. Another 3,577 students were presented with bursary awards of ₦100,000 each.

The senator recalled that the first edition of the initiative, held in January 2024, supported over 1,700 students, while the second edition in April 2025 benefited 3,892 students.

He noted that the cumulative number of beneficiaries had exceeded the 1,000 students he pledged to support during his campaign for the Ogun West Senate seat.

Adeola urged recipients to use the funds solely for academic expenses, including tuition, accommodation and other educational needs, warning against spending the money on non-essential items.

He also said the scholarship and bursary scheme is being implemented in partnership with the National Productivity Centre and commended the programme’s Scholarship and Bursary Board, led by Professor Tope Popoola, for maintaining transparency throughout the selection process.

Highlighting his educational interventions, Adeola said he had facilitated the construction of 87 classroom blocks comprising more than 300 classrooms and 56 staff rooms across schools in Ogun West and other parts of Ogun State.

He added that his interventions also include the establishment of 18 ICT centres, provision of furniture to 35 schools, distribution of more than 200,000 textbooks and school bags to 128 schools, donation of mini buses to tertiary institutions and sponsorship of 10,000 JAMB registration forms for indigent students.

The senator pledged to sustain the annual scholarship and bursary programme while expanding educational infrastructure and supporting legislative measures aimed at improving the quality of education in Nigeria.

He attributed his own achievements in public service to the opportunities education provided, describing investment in education as essential for sustainable development.

Earlier, Chairman of the Scholarship Board, Professor Tope Popoola, said the initiative was designed to ease the financial burden on students and their families.

Popoola assured stakeholders that only qualified applicants were selected, explaining that applications containing false information were rejected to preserve the integrity of the programme.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would continue to expand into a broader scholarship and bursary scheme benefiting students across Ogun State.