Children of opposition leaders will vote Tinubu over NELFUND benefits – APC Chieftain

Michael Olumide

National Vice Chairman (South East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has expressed confidence that the far-reaching impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will significantly influence the political choices of many Nigerian youths ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the APC chieftain, the student loan initiative has become one of the most impactful social intervention programmes of the Renewed Hope Agenda, providing thousands of students with access to higher education irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious backgrounds.

Speaking while highlighting the achievements of the Tinubu administration in education and human capital development, Arodiogbu maintained that the programme has won the confidence of many young Nigerians, including children from families traditionally aligned with opposition political parties.

“The children of opposition figures are not blind. They are direct beneficiaries of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. NELFUND has removed the financial burden of education from parents and empowered our youths to pursue their dreams without hindrance,” he said.

He added that when Nigerians assess the practical benefits of government policies, they are more likely to support leaders whose programmes positively affect their lives.

“When the time comes, loyalty to progress and opportunity will outweigh inherited political affiliations. Young people are increasingly making independent political decisions based on performance and the opportunities available to them,” Arodiogbu stated.

He described NELFUND as a landmark intervention that is reshaping access to tertiary education by providing interest-free loans for tuition and upkeep, thereby reducing the financial burden on parents and guardians while ensuring that qualified students are not denied education because of a lack of funds.

Arodiogbu noted that the programme has already recorded remarkable milestones, with well over one million Nigerian students benefiting from tuition and upkeep support across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.

According to him, the scheme has become a practical demonstration of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to investing in the nation’s future through education.

He commended the Federal Government for sustaining the initiative despite prevailing economic challenges, stressing that education remains one of the strongest foundations for national development and economic transformation.

The APC leader also urged students to make productive use of the opportunity provided by the loan scheme by remaining focused on their academic pursuits and preparing themselves to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development upon graduation.

He further appealed to parents and guardians to continue supporting government initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities, noting that such programmes would ultimately reduce poverty, improve productivity and strengthen the country’s human capital base.

Arodiogbu observed that positive feedback from beneficiaries across the country demonstrates that NELFUND is already changing lives and restoring hope to thousands of families who previously struggled to finance tertiary education.

He said the widespread acceptance of the initiative explains why many youths, irrespective of their family or political backgrounds, increasingly acknowledge the Tinubu administration’s commitment to education and youth empowerment.

According to him, endorsements from groups of NELFUND beneficiaries and youth organisations in different parts of the country reflect growing public appreciation for the programme and other initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He concluded that President Tinubu’s sustained investment in education, infrastructure, youth development and economic empowerment would continue to earn public support, expressing optimism that the administration’s performance would remain a major factor in the political decisions of many Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.