Tinubu voted N86bn for school fees, upkeep of vulnerable students – Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu has voted over N86 billion for payment of school fees and upkeep of over 400,000 students across the country.

Idris disclosed this on Friday when his team paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi in Abakaliki.

Our correspondent reports that the minister and his team are in Ebonyi for a tour of the Federal Government’s projects, and citizens’ engagement with the people of the state.

According to him, over 400,000 students from all parts of the country, including Ebonyi and states in the south east region benefited from Tinubu’s NELFUND programme.

“What the President seems to say is that he dislikes the situation, where students who have the requisite qualification to be in school, like tertiary institutions, but were not able to, because their parents or guardians are unable to pay for their fees or upkeep.

“Today, that is the tale of the past. If you get admission into any tertiary institution, you can apply to NELFUND; and you don’t even have to know anybody.

“This is one of such programmes that President Tinubu has designed for all Nigerians to participate in; you don’t have to know anybody to be a beneficiary of the programme.

“I was checking the figures before I came here. Tinubu has voted about N86 billion so far in the payment of school fees and upkeep of over 400,000 Nigerian students whose parents are unable to pay for their school fees.

“And that is not the end, because Tinubu has better plans for all and he will ensure that millions of people including those in the South-East are empowered,” Idris said.

The minister also commended Nwifiru for providing an office space to the Nigerian Press Council to enhance their operations and deliver on their mandate.

Our correspondent reports that the Minister’s entourage include Special Advisers to the President, and all heads of Federal Government’s media organisation.

Others are the President of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, National Presidents of RATTAWU, NUJ and other stakeholders.