By 
Habeeb Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Zenith Bank Founder, Mr. Jim Ovia, CFR, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
According to a press release issued by the Special Adviser to the President, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on April 26, 2024, Mr. Ovia’s appointment is aimed at advancing the National Student Loan Programme, which seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds and of ensuring that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
Mr. Ovia, a renowned banker and businessman, is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks Zenith Bank Plc and has a strong track record of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund is the implementing institution of the National Student Loan Programme, which seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
