TELFUND Loan Will Be Financial Relief to Nigerian Families — Sen. Ani

By Wilson Ogbonnaya Okereke, Abakaliki

The Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Professor Anthony Okorie Ani, has described the Federal Government’s Tertiary Education Loan Fund (TELFUND) as a welcome financial lifeline for Nigerian families with children in higher institutions if accessed. Speaking recently in an interview with our reporter, Senator Ani explained that aside from the straightforward online registration process, no other stringent conditions are attached, provided the applicant is a Nigerian student. According to him, the loan is designed to cover tuition, fees, charges, and living expenses for students in approved tertiary institutions, as well as those in vocational and skills acquisition centres within Nigeria. He urged all eligible students to apply, stressing that the scheme would ease the financial burden on parents and guardians. “The opportunity will help reduce the dropout rate, minimize students’ worries, encourage academic excellence, and enable them to stay focused until graduation,” Ani noted. The lawmaker clarified that repayment would only commence after beneficiaries have completed their studies and secured employment. He emphasized that, anchored on principles of equity and fairness, TELFUND would open doors for many from low-income backgrounds to pursue higher education without forcing their parents to sell assets to pay fees. Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for initiating the programme, Senator Ani expressed optimism that it would have a positive impact on society by giving more people the means to further their education and thereby reducing the lure of criminality.