The Management of Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) under the leadership of its Managing Director/CEO, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr is pleased to announce that it has received the highest student loan application within the span of 24 hours.

Within the last 24 hours, the fund recorded a total of 9,687 student registrations, of which 7,975 are completed loan applications. This marks the highest in one day since the launch of the student loan application portal on the 25th May 2024.

This overwhelming surge in interest, underscores the critical role that NELFUND plays in enabling access to higher education, for students facing financial challenges.

The high number of applications confirms the fact that financial constraints is a major issue that many aspiring higher education students are facing. It reinforces the importance of NELFUND’s work in providing the necessary support to Nigerian youth.

The Fund recorded this significant milestone in its mission to support students struggling with tertiary education financing across the nation. It is in line with the vision and action of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

Since the opening of the student loan application portal, NELFUND has recorded and steady and consistent influx of applications, highlighting the pressing need for financial assistance among Nigerian students.

The Fund hereby urges all students who are experiencing financial difficulties to take advantage of this well intended opportunity provided by The President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Eligible students are therefore encouraged to apply for the loan through the NELFUND portal.

NELFUND’s streamlined application process is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that students can easily access the support they need.

The dedicated support team is available to assist applicants throughout the process, providing guidance and answering any questions they may have.

This milestone is not just a testament to the effectiveness of the Fund’s outreach and the trust that students place in the program and the President’s pronouncement, but also a call to action for those who have not yet applied.

For more information on how to apply for a student loan, please visit our website: nelf.gov.ng
or contact us via our verified social media handles.

 

 

 

In today’s rapidly advancing world, staying abreast of technological trends is essential. As artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and machine learning emerge at the forefront of human existence, building capacity in these fields becomes crucial for any nation striving to keep pace with technological advancements. Recognizing this need, Abraham Tanta, Chief Executive Officer of Tanta Innovative Limited, an esteemed IT firm based in Lagos, spearheaded a transformative capacity-building initiative for students of the Department of Computer Science at Chrisland University.

Tanta Innovative Limited has been celebrated for its exceptional contributions to IT in Nigeria and its commitment to capacity building. The latest accolade was conferred during a week-long event organized by the Nigerian Computer Students Department (NACHOS), Chrisland University

 

Chapter, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Themed “TECHRISE: Elevating the Future of Technology,” the event featured workshops, seminars, and hands-on training sessions aimed at empowering students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills in quantum computing, machine learning, and AI.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Tanta Innovative Limited provided students with an in-depth understanding of the latest advancements in AI, including practical demonstrations of ChatGPT 4o and its API integrations in modern software and mobile applications. Abraham Tanta led the sessions, illustrating the foundational principles of using Javascript to develop robust mobile apps and web applications.

 

During a captivating demonstration, Tanta developed a basic medical software solution in real-time, allowing students to grasp the dynamics of coding and software deployment. “In today’s IT world, advancements are happening at an unprecedented pace,” Tanta remarked. “Focusing on AI as a career choice is not only important but imperative. The demand for AI professionals is at an all-time high, and becoming proficient as a Prompt Engineer in various AI platforms will make you highly sought after.”

Tanta highlighted the firm’s success in integrating AI solutions across diverse sectors, including retail and interior design, which has significantly reduced operational costs and enhanced efficiency. “The importance of AI today cannot be overstated. We receive numerous requests from organizations seeking to embed AI into their daily operations, and we are proud to have successfully integrated AI into sectors such as health and real estate,” Tanta added.

The hands-on sessions included the creation and deployment of a medical software application, showcasing AI’s immense potential. Tanta Innovative Limited also pledged to mentor university undergraduates and opened doors for students interested in AI, machine learning, and quantum computing ecosystems.

Students were given a walk-through of actual projects completed by Tanta Innovative, highlighting next-generation technologies and practical applications of AI, including the use of ChatGPT and prompt engineering for website and portal integrations.

 

This event not only equipped students with invaluable technical skills but also inspired them to pursue careers in cutting-edge fields, ensuring they are well-prepared to drive technological innovation in the future.

 

By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo.

Michael Tansi Memorial secondary school Aguleri, Anambra State has emerged the overall winner of the National Quiz and Debate Championship organized by the United Organization for Education and sports Development Nigeria.

The first stage of the competition involved all secondary schools in Nigeria and some were eliminated at the preliminary stage.

The second stage quiz involved 50 schools that scaled through the preliminary stage and questions were from Mathematics, Science General Studies and General Debate.

The Anambra school which is located in Aguleri defeated other 10 schools that made it to the final stage with 208 points to cart home the first prize.

The school was represented by Agbo Daniel, Iloakasia Alexander, Okeke Jennifer, Okagbue Cyprain, Dilibe Felicitas Chiemerie and others while their coaches are Mbam Abraham and Aunty Felicia.

The Tansi students were presented with plagues and the star prize.

The second and third positions went to Marta Amabis Secondary School Umuoji Anambra State with 199 points and John Ikwensi Memorial Grammar school Emene Enugu state with 195 points.

Other positions:

4th- Federal science and Technical college Uromi Delta state 194 points.

5th position -Arch Bishop Tech College Ogidi Anambra State with 190 points.

6th position – St Patrick’s secondary school Awka Anambra State 187 points.

7th position -St James Chatan Secondary School Owerri Imo State with 174 points.

8th position -Model Comprehensive Secondary School Iyi Oji River Enugu state with 171 points.

Others are:
Grace High School Gbagada Lagos state,
Jesson Jetha Secondary School Owerri Imo State,
Anglican Grammar school Achi Oji River Enugu State,
Better Tomorrow international college Ujevwu Ondo State.

Receiving the champions, the First Lady of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, said the Anambra students showcased their exceptional skills and knowledge, she expressed her pride in the state’s education sector, highlighting the investments and reforms made by Soludo’s administration.

“Excellence is, undoubtedly, made in Anambra State,” she said, emphasizing the importance of providing every child in Anambra State with a platform to reach their full potential.

The First Lady’s statement reflects the state’s commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a competitive spirit among its students.

“With the recent victory, Anambra State continues to demonstrate its dedication to excellence in education”. The First Lady concluded her speech with a powerful affirmation, “Anambra is winning. The Solution is Here!”

The Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS) has decorated the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, with the award of Fellowship of the Nigeria Institute of Labour (NIL) under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

At the conferment ceremony in Abuja recently, which was part of the series of events marking the 40 Anniversary/Founders Day of the Institute, the Director-General of the Institute, Isa Aremu, said Danbatta was being recognised for his exemplary contributions and that of his team to the betterment of the Commission and national workforce.

Alongside Danbatta, the Director, Human Capital and Administration of the Commission, Usman Malah, who is driving the effectiveness of the workforce at NCC was also honoured with a fellowship.

Speaking at the event, Danbatta, who represented by Malah, at the event, underscored the significance of collectively supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of Nigerian workers through increased access to affordable telecom services.

The EVC stated that only through a digitally skilled and informed workforce can Nigeria fast-track national productivity and development, alongside other initiatives being put in place by the Federal Government. Danbatta said the Commission would ensure affordable and ubiquitous telecom services to improve Nigerian workers’ daily activities.

While expressing gratitude for the recognition to him and Malah, Danbatta assured of his continued support to empowering NCC staff in improving skills, education and sundry capacity-building activities as well as stimulating the deployment of robust broadband infrastructure for bolstering job creation for Nigerians and improving national productivity.

Meanwhile, MINILS DG, Aremu, commended the Commission for promoting the deployment of telecommunications services to improve productivity and efficiency across different sectors of the economy.

“We have witnessed the amazing transformation in terms of broadband penetration, Internet subscribers and many other achievements recorded under the leadership of Prof. Danbatta as the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC and how the telecom sector, regulated by the Commission he leads, have improved national productivity,” Aremu said.

The DG of MINILS stated that the EVC has played a pivotal role in transforming and advancing the nation’s digital space and acknowledged that Danbatta’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and creating employment opportunities in the telecommunications sector has earned him accolades nationwide.

The anniversary, which featured conferment of Fellowship of the NIL on other Chief Executives and Heads of Human Resources divisions of some government agencies alongside the NCC Management executives, not only celebrated the events of the past but also set the stage for a brighter future, showcasing the importance of fair labour practices, knowledge and continued collaboration between various government agencies.

Aside from the new Fellowship of NIL, Danbatta is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Renewable and Alternative Energy Society; the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

 

The Accra Institute of Technology, AIT, is an independent technology-focused research university based in Accra, Ghana.

Since its inception in 2009, AIT has extensively been deploying cutting-edge educational delivery technologies and systems to support teaching and learning in all its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

As one of the ECOWAS sub-region’s top education centres, AIT is home to thousands of Nigerians and other West African students.

The AIT has consistently ranked as the top private University in Ghana and one of leading educational institutions in West Africa.  It has unswervingly come top at the UMB Ghana Tertiary Awards. In 2020 for instance, AIT won three most prestigious awards including: The Most Outstanding Institution in COVID-19 Times Award, The Best Technology University Award and the Best Educator of The Year. The university has kept the flag flying producing top-notch graduates gradually occupying  strategic positions as leaders across diverse sectors of Africa and global economy.

Benefit from AIT’s decades of leadership as a Tertiary Institution

There are several potential benefits for Nigerian students attending AIT in Ghana. Some of these benefits include:

Quality Education: AIT is known for providing quality education in various fields of study. The institution offers programs that are aligned with industry standards and taught by experienced faculty members. Nigerian students can benefit from the academic excellence and practical training offered at AIT.

International Exposure: Studying at AIT provides Nigerian students with the opportunity to gain international exposure. Interacting with students from different countries and cultures can broaden their perspectives and enhance their global awareness. This exposure can be valuable for personal growth and can also boost career prospects in an increasingly interconnected world.

Regional Networking: Ghana is situated in West Africa, and attending AIT allows Nigerian students to network with their counterparts from neighboring countries in the region. Building connections with students and professionals from Ghana and other West African nations can open up future collaborative opportunities and contribute to a stronger regional network.

Cultural Exchange: Ghana has a rich cultural heritage, and studying at AIT provides Nigerian students with the chance to immerse themselves in a different cultural environment. They can learn about Ghanaian traditions, customs, and way of life, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. This exposure can enhance their cultural competence, which is increasingly valued in today’s globalized world.

Affordability: Compared to some educational institutions in Nigeria and other countries, AIT offers relatively affordable tuition fees and living expenses. This can make it a more accessible option for Nigerian students seeking quality education abroad without significant financial burden.

Enhanced Employability: AIT’s academic programs are designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to their chosen fields. The institution has collaborations with industry partners, providing opportunities for internships, projects, and industry exposure. Nigerian students who graduate from AIT may have an advantage in the job market due to the institution’s reputation and industry connections.

Alumni Network: AIT has a growing network of alumni across various industries and sectors. Nigerian students who graduate from AIT can benefit from this network, gaining access to potential mentors, job opportunities, and professional support. Alumni networks often provide a strong support system, and being part of the AIT alumni community can be advantageous for career growth and lifelong learning.

Register today at AIT. Click Here.

It’s important for prospective Nigerian students to conduct thorough research and consider their individual goals and circumstances when evaluating the benefits of attending AIT or any other educational institution abroad. For over 20 years, AIT has been helping to build Africa’s knowledge and skill sets.

 

 

 

 

Studying at AIT provides Nigerian students with the opportunity to gain international exposure. Interacting with students from different countries and cultures can broaden their perspectives and enhance their global awareness. This exposure can be valuable for personal growth and can also boost career prospects in an increasingly interconnected world.

 

 

 

Studying Law is not a walk in a park, it is one of the most difficult professions and it is always refreshing seeing girls make tremendous mark in this field and they should be celebrated in an era most young girls are focusing of costmetic surgery, Muoka has been able to distinguish herself, a true meaning of beauty and brain.

Muoka Olivia Kamsi, 24, from Anambra state, of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science emerged Unical’s Best Graduating Student With a CGPA of 4.73 in a total of 5.00.

Someone wrote; Kam, your poetic prowess, intellectual acumen and glowing beauty is enormous and welll noticed from the days we wrote poems together today not just our quills but that of University of Calabar is all writing same script” CONGRATULATIONS Kamsi”. – Enang Vincent

Emeka Nwosu & Enang Vincent

 

 

The Paris Graduate School of Digital Innovation (French: École pour l’informatique et les nouvelles technologies, or EPITECH),recently visited FINTRAK Software Limited Nigeria.s foremost financial technology (Fintech) firm with emphasis on building and developing robust software for banks across Africa. A tour that the educational institution made to FINTRAK to cement their relationship in the area of capacity building and transfer of knowledge.

 

Speaking to the international students, Edwin Aigbogun, the  Brand Communication Manager of Fintrak Software said, “We are elated to have you here, this shows that our works and projects is getting noticed across various African countries, our solutions are designed to meet various peculiarities of financial institutions in various countries. Our solution do come in both English and French and we are desirous to partner with the institution.”

 

“We appreciate this visit and we will have a program that will accommodate your students in te area of internship, this will expose them to the realities of software development, deployment and support system. It will be a clear departure of what is taught to them in the walls of school, we will bring reality to them and we will not fail in this regard”

 

Edwin also opined that ” Here at FINTRAK SOFTWARE we believe in capacity building, we see it as our way of giving back to the society, we have trained a lot of Nigerians in this area and you will be the first set that is coming from outside the country and we hope that this will be the beginning of wonderful relationship between us and EPITECH.”

 

The visit is in line with the vision of the software giant to build capacity in the ECOWAS region. Fintrak is a global Financial Technology organization providing innovative technology and business solutions to financial institutions in the financial services sector and enterprises across continents.FinTrak Software is on a mission to support organizations and states with the technologies and intellectual strength required to enable them to surpass their stakeholders’ expectations.

 

Epitech is a school of higher studies and short training courses that offers various courses around IT. A school unlike any other, carrying emblematic values ​​and federated around a national and international network of 20 campuses.

 

Anthony Nwosu.E

AI (Artificial Intelligence) a form of computing that allows the machine to take decision and learn from individuals to give a feedback is on the rise. In a simple terms AI can be defined as:the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and discernment.

Now the leaders of this is CHATGTP(In caps for emphasis) this is an open source platform that can help you do a lot of things easily without you lifting a finger. A student used the platform to have an all A’s in her assignment. I typed a query on how to write an article and the platform brought out a fantastic article written for me on my chosen subject in few seconds. Well written more than human!

So as you can see, just like the way industrial revolution displaced many people in their jobs and also creates job, the way computer age displaced many people and trust me this 4th industrial revolution will displace many of us and I am scared of jobs like Journalism, editing, copywriting, proofreading, advertising , content creators etc ! AI will take over .

Many countries of the world are in the race to build a fantastic AI  platform today which can be incorporated into many things from autonomous driving to aviation , from medical to education, Google recently tried to launch their own platform (Sparrow) but where was a glitch and they lost billions of dollars but that doesn’t mean they have rested on their oars! Google don’t give up they will be back !

Chinese biggest tech firm Baidu will be launching their own version of ChatGTP by March this year ! Trust Chinese to always deliver on things like these. With this race of AI going on, the Africans are left behind !

With the elections coming up in few days time, Nigerians are contemplating to either vote a senile man that doesn’t understand the concept of building smart cities or the need to galvanise the youths to build robust solutions and creating a techhub around the nation. Nobody is talking that .

As the world is tilting towards 4th industrial revolution, just like other ages and revolutions before us , Nigeria is doing a catch-up game; a country that is trying to sort out the basic things and mundane things that should be overlooked such as energy, electricity, fuel, security and capacity building ! The country is still saddled with these basic things an indication that the rest of world will leave us behind!

Anthony Emeka Nwosu
Anthony@techandbiz.com.ng

 

The quest for qualitative education has been one of the critical things in the mind of every parent and guardian in the country, getting this education from a developed country like Canada is one of the dreams of ever parent. This education equips the child for the international labor and employment space, thereby giving these kids a head-start in life. In line with this narrative, The University of Ottawa, one of the prestigious Universities in Northern American regions recently opened a scholarship program for Nigerian students desirous of studying in Candana.

The University authority said “The University of Ottawa announces a new four-year entrance and excellence scholarship worth up to $100,000 for African students newly admitted to English undergraduate programs in engineering, science or social sciences. This renewable scholarship is offered to citizens of African countries who are newly admitted to one of the eligible undergraduate programs offered in English by the faculties of Engineering, Science or Social Sciences.”

The University added that “”Depending on their average, eligible students could receive an excellence scholarship worth at least $CAN70,000 or an entrance scholarship worth at least $CAN50,000 over four years. Totaling more than $40.5 million, our undergraduate international scholarship and financial aid program remains among the most generous at any major Canadian university. It rewards not only your pre-university academic achievements but also your achievements every term of full-time study. The scholarship will give African students studying in English access to many programs across three faculties by significantly reducing their tuition.”

The school will be hosting various virtual platforms that will enable Nigerian students to make enquiries an ask question on their qualifications and their eligibility. “To help students throughout the application process, the University of Ottawa will host several virtual information sessions to answer questions and advise prospective students. Eligibility criteria, programs available and conditions are presented on the uOttawa International English Scholarship website,” they university concluded.

The University of Ottawa, often referred to as uOttawa or U of O, is a bilingual public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on 42.5 hectares directly to the northeast of Downtown Ottawa across the Rideau Canal in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood.

 

 

Education and capacity building has always been the bedrock of any development in the society. Celebrating this institution has always been a thing of glee and fanfare. In line with this analogy, Baptist Boys High School, a school with robust history recently celebrated their old boys. In light with with this, Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo was present to celebrate BBHS as it is fondly called.

Speaking via his social media, the Vice President said “The values that we imbibe are important indicators of the direction that we are likely to go in life. When we read about great people in the annals of history, their achievements and deeds in life are shown in glowing terms. Most of the time, however, we gloss over the underlying attributes that make these achievements possible, one of which is the values that they hold dear. “

He added that “Earlier today at the centenary celebration of the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, I spoke on the primacy of values as the bedrock for nation building, using the lives of some of the old boys of the school, some of which are Chief Obafemi Awolowo SAN, Chief MKO Abiola GCFR, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, and Prince Bola Ajibola SAN as examples. “

“The most important asset available to every country for its growth and development is its human resources. In developing this vital asset, it is important that we emphasize the pre-eminence of values, and there is no other place to start than our schools. I wish all the old boys and the board of the school a successful celebration:, He concluded.

 

Anthony Emeka Nwosu