Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, has recorded over 20,000 student beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund since the scheme's inception, according to the institution's Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Prof. Sani Nefaye Abdullahi.

Abdullahi disclosed on Tuesday while receiving a media team from the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, currently on a project tour across All Progressives Congress controlled states. He represented Vice Chancellor Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman at the event.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor described NELFUND as an impactful education policy, noting that students at the institution receive monthly upkeep allowances under the scheme.

"Our students have been enjoying the NELFUND programme right from its inception, and they are happy with it. They receive their upkeep allowance monthly. In fact, the latest payment came just last week while examinations were ongoing. The students were jubilating because their pockets were dry. It came at the right time and enabled them to focus on their examinations instead of worrying about money," Abdullahi said.

He added that parents who previously struggled to meet school fee obligations had found relief through the scheme, while students were now better positioned to pursue their education without financial disruption.

On the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Abdullahi said the intervention had strengthened the university's academic and research capacity considerably.

"When it comes to research, high impact publications are critical. TETFund has continued to support our academics through research grants, making our lecturers more competitive globally," he stated.

The university's Director of Physical Planning, Kayode Olonimisi, disclosed that the institution had received four major TETFund funded infrastructure projects within the last three years. These include academic office complexes for the Faculties of Agriculture and Arts and Humanities, a modern Senate Building housing over 100 offices, a Senate Chamber with seating for approximately 400 persons equipped with modern media facilities, a Council Chamber, and a lecture theatre for the College of Health Sciences with a 500 person capacity.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo, said education remained central to President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

"The President is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind. That is why he introduced the student loan scheme, so that once a student gains admission into the university, financial constraints will no longer force them to drop out before graduation," Nwabufo said.