The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the education of future oil and gas professionals, following a productive engagement with the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, Rivers State, Dr. Victor Okolobah, on Thursday February 12, 2026 at the institution.
The meeting, which focused on strengthening collaboration between industry stakeholders and tertiary institutions, underscored the strategic importance of equipping Nigerian students with the technical expertise required to sustain and grow the nation’s energy sector.
He also said NLNG’s longstanding investments in education through scholarship programmes and community development initiatives align closely with NELFUND’s mandate to ensure that no Nigerian student drops out of tertiary institutions due to financial constraints.
Sawyerr emphasized that NELFUND was established to ensure that no Nigerian student with the desire and capacity to pursue tertiary education is denied the opportunity due to financial constraints, adding that as indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry expands, the demand for well-trained local professionals will continue to rise.
“With the emergence and consolidation of indigenous giants such as the Dangote Group, and other homegrown energy players, Nigeria must deliberately invest in building a strong pipeline of skilled manpower,” Sawyerr stated. “NELFUND is positioning itself as a critical enabler in this process by supporting students in relevant disciplines across Polytechnics and Universities.”
In his response, Dr. Okolobah commended NELFUND’s intervention, noting that the initiative is timely and impactful for students of the institution, many of whom come from communities where financial barriers pose significant challenges to tertiary education.
He expressed the Polytechnic’s readiness to collaborate closely with NELFUND to ensure that students fully benefit from the scheme.
The Rector commended NELFUND’s proactive approach, noting that access to affordable student loans would significantly boost enrollment in specialized technical courses. He stressed that institutions like the polytechnic play a vital role in producing mid-level and high-level technical manpower for refineries, LNG plants, petrochemical facilities, and other energy infrastructure projects.
Sawyerr therefore reiterated that NELFUND’s mandate is a product of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic growth through education, innovation and local content development. He assured that the Fund would continue to deepen partnerships with industry players and educational institutions to secure a brighter future for Nigeria’s oil and gas workforce.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to discuss the critical role of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund in expanding access to higher education, particularly for students in specialized institutions such as the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas.