NELFUND adopts remote work as office undergoes fumigation exercise

ABUJA — The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a temporary shift to remote operations as its office undergoes a fumigation and sanitation exercise, assuring stakeholders that services will continue without disruption.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Fund says the fumigation exercise will run through the end of the year as part of efforts to maintain a safe, healthy and regulatory-compliant working environment for staff and visitors.

NELFUND confirms that during the period, only minimal staff will be physically present to carry out essential on-site duties, while the majority of operations will be handled remotely under a skeletal work arrangement.

Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, says the decision prioritises staff welfare, particularly for pregnant women and women of child-bearing age who may be more vulnerable during fumigation processes.

“Staff safety remains paramount,” Sawyerr states. “While the fumigation exercise is necessary, NELFUND has taken deliberate steps to ensure that no employee is unnecessarily exposed to any potential health risk.”

According to the Fund, its strong digital infrastructure and established remote work systems will ensure uninterrupted delivery of core services, including loan processing, stakeholder engagement, internal coordination and general service delivery.

NELFUND notes that the temporary shift reflects institutional foresight and responsible governance, demonstrating how technology can be effectively leveraged to sustain public service delivery even when physical office operations are limited.

The Fund appreciates the understanding and cooperation of stakeholders and reiterates its commitment to transparent, efficient and student-centred education financing across the country.

NECO Registrar Loses Father as Niger Community Leader Dies at 106

ABUJA — The Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi suffers a personal loss following the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Nawuya Wushishi, a respected community leader in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State.

Alhaji Wushishi passes away at the age of 106, marking the end of a long life devoted to family, community service, and leadership. His death is confirmed in an official statement issued by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Azeez Sani.

According to the statement, the late Alhaji Ibrahim Wushishi leaves behind a large family, including 12 children, 60 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, among whom is Prof. Wushishi, who currently heads Nigeria’s examination body.

“He was a community leader whose life spanned over a century and touched many lives,” the statement says, describing him as a patriarch deeply rooted in tradition, faith, and communal harmony.

The late elder statesman is buried in line with Islamic rites in accordance with religious customs.

Condolences pour in from education stakeholders, public servants, and community members, who describe the loss as significant not only to the Wushishi family but also to Niger State.

NECO extends its sympathies to Prof. Wushishi and the entire family offer prayers for strength and comfort during the period of mourning.

“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” the statement adds.

TETFund, NACIMA Seal Pact to Turn Campuses into Industry Pipelines

Abuja – The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACIMA) have formalised a strategic partnership to realign Nigeria’s higher education system with industry needs.

The collaboration was sealed on Wednesday in Abuja with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to strengthen research, spark innovation, and produce graduates equipped for today’s labour market

Speaking at the ceremony, TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arch Sonny Echono, described the agreement as a milestone in bridging the long-standing divide between academia and industry. He said the partnership reflects the Federal Government’s vision of a skills-driven economy powered by innovation and youth enterprise.

According to Echono, the MoU reinforces TETFund’s “triple helix” approach, linking government, academia, and industry to drive sustainable national development. He noted that beyond funding research, the focus is now on translating knowledge into economic value.

The agreement prioritises industry-focused research, commercialisation of academic outputs, skills development, entrepreneurship, and job creation. It also provides a framework for joint ventures, policy advocacy, and structured collaboration between educational institutions and the private sector.

Echono added that empowering young Nigerians with problem-solving and critical-thinking skills would not only boost local productivity but also position Nigeria as a contributor to the global skills market.

NACIMA National President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim said the partnership would give businesses direct input into research priorities while opening pathways for students to gain practical experience through internships and industrial attachments.

He stressed that development thrives where knowledge meets enterprise, adding that the MoU would help convert research into market-ready solutions, improve workforce competence, and attract investment.

Ibrahim also noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on efficient funding, modern research infrastructure, and technology-driven learning.

Both parties described the agreement as the starting point of a long-term strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s education–industry ecosystem and unlock opportunities for youths and businesses nationwide.

NDC Seeks TETFund Support to Boost Research, AI-Driven Security Curriculum

Abuja – The Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for deeper support to strengthen the College’s research capacity, overhaul its curriculum and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) in response to Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.

Ahmed, the 22nd Commandant, made the request during a high-level visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, at the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja, where both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering new areas of collaboration.

“The support will enable us to deepen our research capacity and ensure that our curriculum remains relevant to the evolving national security challenges,” Ahmed said.

He noted that upon assuming office, he initiated a comprehensive curriculum review centred on AI application, strategic thinking and policy development. With TETFund’s backing, he added, the College is poised to achieve the standard required for a modern defence institution.

Ahmed further explained that, as Nigeria’s apex security training institution, the NDC produces strategic research outputs and peer-reviewed journals of continental and global relevance. He appealed for TETFund’s sponsorship of these academic publications.

He also commended TETFund for its sustained infrastructure interventions in tertiary institutions nationwide, including the NDC.

Responding, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc Sonny Echono, said the newly-signed MoU covers a wide range of collaborative efforts between both organisations. He underscored the importance of supporting institutions like the NDC that drive advanced research and contribute significantly to national development.

Echono praised military personnel for their ongoing sacrifices to keep the country safe, noting that some have paid the highest price in the line of duty.

Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the NDC dating back to 2008–2009 when he served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence, Echono recalled his involvement in the development of participants’ quarters and other major projects at the College’s permanent site.

“As the apex military training institution in the country, it’s only natural that you will lead in the area of intelligence and research,” he said. He added that in recognition of this, TETFund last year introduced a new thematic research area dedicated to the military and intelligence sector, with dedicated annual funding.

Echono emphasised that globally, many scientific breakthroughs originate from military research institutions—citing the Global Positioning System (GPS) as an example—and expressed commitment to supporting innovations that go beyond kinetic operations to contribute to national growth and development.