FG’s Student Loan Expanding Access to Quality Education – ATBU Vice Chancellor

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

The Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, Professor Ibrahim Garba has observed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has played crucial role in enhancing access to quality education, most especially for the indigent students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Professor Garba who stated this during the matriculation ceremony of over four thousand newly admitted students of the university for the 2024/2025 academic session on Friday, commended the Federal Government for the initiative.

He said with the rising cost of registration fees and educational materials, many students face financial barriers that hinder their academic progress, noting that the fund bridges the gap by providing affordable loans to eligible students, thereby empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations without the burden of financial strain.

Prof Garba added that the support by the Federal Government did not only help the students to pay for their registration fees but also covered essential expenses such as textbooks, accommodation, and other learning resources.

The vice Chancellor disclosed that a total of 4,364 newly admitted students were being matriculated.

Addressing the matriculants, the Vice Chancellor congratulated them for being selected among many other applicants for admission into the institution.

Prof Garba who urged the students to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding their conduct in the university, warned them against drug abuse, cultism and other social vices.

According to him, “such vices have no place in our university, and we will not tolerate them”.

The vice Chancellor explained that the vices do not only pose threat to the students’ physical and mental health, but also undermine the values of the institution and the trust that parents and guardians have placed in the management.

“I encourage you to dedicate yourselves to your studies, to explore your passions, and to develop your talents”, Prof Garba advised.

He also admonished the new students to surround themselves with positive influences, and avoid bad company that can lead them astray, warning that the choices they make today will shape their future.

The vice Chancellor gave the breakdown of the number of the students admitted into faculties, by stating that, a total of 207 students were admitted into the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, 854 into the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

Others are; Faculty of Environmental Technology 773, Faculty of Management Sciences 370, Faculty of Science 835, Faculty of Computing 599.

Also, a total number of 345 were admitted into the Faculty of Technology Education, 39 in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sustainable Procurement, Social Standard and Environmental Studies Center of Excellence 98 and College of Medical Sciences 244 students.