The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for extending its loan scheme to vocational and technical training institutions, describing the move as a bold and transformative step for Nigerian youths and the nation’s workforce.
Spokesman Oluseye Oladejo said the initiative represents a national game-changer. “This is not just a policy decision – it is a strategic intervention that addresses a gap in skills development and ensures young Nigerians are no longer left behind by a system that prioritised certificates over competence,” he said.
The expansion will allow students and young entrepreneurs pursuing engineering trades, digital technology, construction, creative industries, agriculture, and manufacturing to access financial support previously unavailable to them. Oladejo emphasised that the programme positions skill acquisition alongside formal academics, creating new pathways to economic empowerment.
He described the move as a direct investment in the productive energy of youths, calling them “the heartbeat of Lagos and the engine of Nigeria’s future.” The Lagos APC highlighted that the initiative is expected to deepen job creation, strengthen innovation, reduce unemployment, and broaden the country’s skilled workforce.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is rewriting the story of youth empowerment. With this expansion, no Nigerian youth will be denied opportunity because of financial barriers. Skill is finally taking its rightful place beside formal academics,” Oladejo said.
The party also stressed that the programme has broader implications for small businesses and MSMEs. Access to vocational and technical skills will enhance entrepreneurial capacity, equip startups with critical operational skills, and create a pipeline of skilled labor that can support micro and medium enterprises across Lagos and beyond. Tech hubs, creative districts, industrial clusters, and MSME corridors are all poised to benefit as more youths gain access to practical skills funding.
Oladejo urged young Nigerians to embrace the opportunity, noting that it offers a gateway to globally competitive skills and fosters a culture of competence-driven entrepreneurship. He also praised NELFUND’s management for implementing a policy that benefits the many rather than a privileged few, calling it “Renewed Hope in motion and governance with results.”
He concluded that Lagos APC remains aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a Nigeria where opportunities are expanded, youths are equipped, and the nation progresses steadily, while opposition parties continue to focus on rhetoric rather than action.
