The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced that over 600,000 students have benefited from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme, with a total disbursement of N59 million. This was disclosed by the Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, at a news conference in Kano, where he launched a nationwide enlightenment campaign on government policies, national values, and security awareness.

The campaign, themed “Nationwide Sensitisation on Five Thematic Areas,” aims to inform citizens about various government initiatives, including the presidential directive on flood mitigation, which allocates N3 billion to each state in 2024 for drainage clearance and relocation of vulnerable communities. Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development plans to support 150,000 youths across the country with N110 billion.

Issa-Onilu, represented by Williams Dogo, Director of Legal Services, highlighted that NELFUND is available to all qualified Nigerians in public tertiary institutions. The agency has also renovated 700 schools nationwide to improve learning facilities in rural areas. Furthermore, over 15,000 new security personnel have been deployed to address diverse security challenges.

The NOA intends to conduct security awareness campaigns, reaching at least three million Nigerians in each state through media engagements, advocacy visits, and town hall meetings. The campaign will also focus on promoting national values such as patriotism and unity, as well as discouraging extreme graduation practices that contradict cultural norms. The agency will familiarize Nigerians with the current national anthem as part of the reorientation campaign.

The nationwide enlightenment campaign is a significant effort to deepen citizens’ knowledge of government initiatives and promote national cohesion. With the support of stakeholders, the NOA aims to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians, particularly in the areas of education, youth development, and security. The success of this campaign will depend on the active participation of citizens, and the agency encourages all Nigerians to engage with the campaign and take advantage of the available opportunities.