The Federal Government has disbursed education loans to 8,971 students across federal universities in the North-West zone under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, disclosed this in Kano while presenting the mid-term report of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He revealed that Bayero University Kano (BUK) recorded the highest number of beneficiaries nationwide.
According to him, Federal University Dutsinma received N409 million, Federal University Dutse got N593 million, while Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), benefitted with N578 million. Idris, represented by Rabiu Ado, Director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kano, said the initiative is part of ongoing reforms to ease financial pressure on students from low- and middle-income families and expand access to higher education.
Highlighting wider development projects in the region, he noted that the Federal Government recently upgraded the Federal College of Education, Kano, into a University of Education, and the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, into the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kano.
The minister also pointed to the establishment of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) with headquarters in Kano, aimed at boosting infrastructure, human capital, and economic growth across the zone. He said construction of 5,000 housing units is ongoing in all seven states of the region to provide affordable homes, while major road projects such as the Sokoto–Tambuwal–Jega, Birnin Kebbi–Sokoto, Kano–Kaduna super highway, and Kaduna Eastern Bypass are at various stages of completion to improve trade and mobility.
On rail transport, Idris stated that the Kano–Katsina–Jibia–Maradi line is under construction to strengthen regional trade and cross-border movement with Niger Republic. He added that power projects including the Kano–Daura–Katsina wind energy project, the 300MW Zungeru power project, and the Kano Power Project (KKMP) are underway to improve electricity supply.
Idris said these initiatives underscore the Tinubu administration’s commitment to bridging infrastructure gaps, advancing education, and promoting inclusive development in the North-West.
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