….as Tinubu orders end to school kidnappings – Information Minister
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, has disclosed that the Federal Government has disbursed more than ₦150 billion to about 788,000 students under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme.
Idris made this known during the end-of-year media briefing held on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, “the administration of President Bola Tinubu has made notable progress across several sectors, with education recording some of the most impactful outcomes.”
Idris described 2025 as a productive year marked by focused and transformative policymaking, particularly policies aimed at empowering young Nigerians.
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He explained that NELFUND has so far provided interest-free education loans and living stipends totaling over ₦150 billion to hundreds of thousands of students nationwide.
He also noted that the Federal Government launched the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme during the year.
The initiative is backed by a multi-million-dollar venture fund designed to boost digital innovation and creative entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.
Idris said the government introduced the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) in 2025.
The programme provides non-equity funding of up to ₦50 million to undergraduate innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) fields across accredited tertiary institutions.
He explained that the intervention is intended to foster entrepreneurship within Nigerian campuses and help transform talented students into employers of labour rather than job seekers.
Idris further revealed that the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme also recorded major progress, positioning Nigeria to build Africa’s largest pool of digital professionals.
On security matters, the minister announced that President Tinubu has issued firm instructions to security agencies to bring an end to the kidnapping of students in schools across the country.
Idris praised the President and security forces for successfully rescuing the remaining 130 pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.
He added that victims abducted in Kwara and Kebbi states have also been safely reunited with their families.
He reassured Nigerians that the President has mandated security agencies to prevent future occurrences and to respond swiftly and transparently whenever such incidents arise, ensuring that perpetrators do not escape justice.
The minister said the Federal Government sympathises deeply with the affected families over the trauma caused by the abductions and wished them peace, healing, and joyful reunions.
He also extended seasonal greetings, wishing them and all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a pleasant festive period.
