The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a new vocational skills loan programme in Enugu. The loan scheme will help Nigerians learn trades and gain technical skills.
The loan will cover training fees, provide money for daily needs, and offer tools after training. This programme is for people who want to attend vocational centres like fashion schools or skills hubs.
According to NELFUND’s Executive Director of Operations, Iyal Mustapha, the initiative will start in six to eight weeks. He said everything is being finalised.
“We are going to pay for their training costs, we are going to be giving them upkeep, and at the end of the day, they will have some working tools when they finish their training.”
He added that each skill centre would have its own fees. The loan package will include those fees and transport costs. The upkeep allowance is still being determined.
“We are going to have these centres in place to say if you apply from Enugu, this is where to go in Enugu.”
Beneficiaries will apply through an online portal once it becomes available.
The loan is not limited to students in universities or polytechnics. It is meant for people who want to learn a trade and become self-reliant. This includes tailoring, hairdressing, carpentry, plumbing, and more.
The programme is part of a broader plan by NELFUND to reduce unemployment and promote skills-based careers in Nigeria.
Enugu Leads with Readiness and Strong Facilities
Enugu State has been chosen as one of the first places to launch the programme. The selection is due to the state’s readiness and strong infrastructure.
Mustapha visited the Enugu Garment and Fashion Hub. He said the facilities were among the best the agency had seen in Nigeria.
“Presently, we have other states, almost more than 10 states that we have seen such, but then, Enugu is one of the best.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and MSMEs, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, welcomed the programme. He showed NELFUND the state’s skills hub to confirm they are ready to take part.
“We just wanted to show them the world-class facilities we have here to let NELFUND know that we are ready to key into the skills acquisition component of the fund.”
He also said Enugu is ready to turn its fashion hub into a large production centre. The idea is to make uniforms and garments while training young people.
The state government hopes this initiative will provide jobs, reduce poverty, and support small businesses.
Many young people in Nigeria have talent but lack funds for training. This programme gives them a second chance.
The goal is to build a strong workforce with practical skills that will help grow the local economy.
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