Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Sokoto State University (SSU), and Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) have commended President Bola Tinubu’s education policies.

They said the policies were making democracy beneficial to Nigerian students, particularly through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund).

The students, under their respective Students’ Union Governments (SUGs), expressed their support during a symposium organised to commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day celebration in Sokoto on Friday.

The event, held in collaboration with the Northern Projects Coordination Office and NELFund, attracted hundreds of students.

It had the theme “Thank You, Mr. President, for Making Democracy Work for Students.”

Speaking at the event, the President of the Students’ Union Government of UDUS, Mr Tasi’u Aminu, described the initiative as a gesture of appreciation for Mr Tinubu’s commitment to quality and uninterrupted education in Nigeria.

According to him, the introduction of the NELFund scheme has become a major milestone in improving access to education for Nigerian students.

“The President has become instrumental in the future of Nigerian students through the introduction of the NELFund scheme. This programme is one of the greatest opportunities ever provided for Nigerian students and has significantly enhanced access to inclusive education,” Mr Aminu said.

He recalled that many students previously had to engage in menial jobs, including construction labour, to raise money for school fees.

“With the introduction of the NELFund scheme and other student-focused programmes, many students can now pay their school fees more easily and meet other basic needs while in school,” he added.

Mr Aminu further appreciated Mr Tinubu for introducing policies aimed at creating a brighter future for young Nigerians.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NELFund, Akintunde Sawyerr, said the symposium was organised to celebrate Nigeria’s democracy and remind students of their critical role in national development.

“The purpose is to let students understand that the future of the country depends on them and their contributions to national growth.

“Students should remain focused on their studies, stay motivated, and continue working towards building a better Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Sawyerr noted that though Nigeria faces several challenges, students have an important responsibility to develop solutions that would shape the nation’s future.

He thanked the students for their support to government and assured them that more dividends of democracy would continue to reach Nigerians.

Earlier, Lead Policy and Digital Inclusion Officer of the Northern Projects Coordination Office, Amina Ibrahim, assured students that Mr Tinubu remained committed to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education.

She said the administration’s educational policies were designed to expand opportunities and improve learning outcomes across the country. 

(NAN)