The National Association of Ogun State Students has advocated for better disbursement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, to effectively support students in need.
Recall that in December 2025, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, said the agency had disbursed a total of N154 billion in interest-free loans to 788,947 students across the country within its last 18 months of operation.
According to Sawyerr, as of 9 December 2025, the total number of loan applications received from students across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) stood at 1,265,509, while only 788,947 applications, representing 62.3 per cent, were successful and had already been disbursed.
The NAOSS National President, Femi Ajayi, spoke on Wednesday during a loyalty walk held in Ijebu Ode, stressing the need for better disbursement.
Speaking at the walk, which had youths marching through major streets with banners and chanting songs of solidarity, Ajayi stated that the event was aimed at commending the Tinubu-led administration and demanding more support.
He explained that although students remain non-partisan, they are free to show appreciation to the government in power in order to continue to receive more benefits.
Ajayi said, “Starting from the Presidency, NELFUND, and coming down to Ogun State, OgunCash, OgunLearn, the AI programme, and the tech programme from the state government, all of these are reasons why I decided to lead students out to show our appreciation and demand for more.
“We advocate for better NELFUND disbursement and urge every government to include students in need.
“We remain non-political, but anytime we are convinced about a particular candidate, we will ensure that we support the person to power. Moving forward, my advice to all Ogun State students, both at home and across the country, is that we should continue to appreciate the efforts of the government in power so that we can continue to get more.”
Speaking with newsmen after the walk, the National President of the APC Youth League, Comrade Olamide Lawal, explained that the purpose of the solidarity walk was to show appreciation for President Tinubu’s and Governor Abiodun’s “impactful leadership,” especially in areas affecting young people.
Addressing the gathering at the Awujale Pavilion, the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Ogun State Government, Dapo Okubadejo, stated that the administration’s development philosophy and the ISEYA mantra place inclusiveness, sustainability, education, youth empowerment, and agriculture at the core of governance.
Okubadejo, who was represented by the Government Liaison Officer, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Olatokunbo Tosin, delivered a paper titled “From Policy to Prosperity: Youth-Centred Economic Pathway under the Dapo Abiodun Administration,” describing young people in the state as drivers of prosperity under Abiodun’s leadership.
He pointed out that the government has invested in youth empowerment as a conscious economic policy, noting that providing young people with opportunities, capital, and skills is essential for long-term growth, social stability, and productivity.
Okubadejo charged the youths to own the future being prepared for them, highlighting some accomplishments of the administration, including the creation of the Ogun State Youth Empowerment Programme, which has provided thousands of young people with financial assistance and skills development.
Also speaking, the Ogun State Coordinator of the APC Youth League, Yunus Fayomi, said the exercise was aimed at reaffirming the commitment of Ogun youths to the party’s leadership at both the state and federal levels.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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