The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a collaboration aimed at empowering youths across the region through education financing and clean energy initiatives.
In a strategic meeting with NELFUND’s management team in Abuja, the SSDC Managing Director, Usoro Akpabio, highlighted the powerful alignment between both organizations, stressing that enhancing youth empowerment and education are pivotal to the region’s overall development blueprint.
She said, “Our power revolution in the South-South depends on more than just infrastructure, it depends on our people. We are ensuring our youths are financially empowered by linking skills acquisition in the renewable energy sector with the financial support provided by NELFUND.”
In commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the SSDC boss noted that the initiative’s emphasis on youth development aligns with their mission, and the collaboration with NELFUND will empower young people with affordable loans for education and skills acquisition in high-growth sectors like renewable energy and digital innovation.
NELFUND’s Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, reiterated the organization’s commitment to collaborating with SSDC, providing clarity on the student loan scheme. He explained that the scheme is currently open to undergraduate students in public tertiary institutions, with funds disbursed directly to schools after verification, and eligible students receiving a monthly welfare stipend of ₦20,000.
Sawyer added that NELFUND welcomes collaborations for scholarship and empowerment initiatives, hinting at future privatization to expand its reach while maintaining its core mission of supporting Nigerian students.
The SSDC had earlier unveiled plans to electrify all rural communities in the South-South through renewable energy projects in partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The initiative aims to bridge the region’s energy gap and stimulate economic growth by powering agricultural clusters, schools, and health centers.
Together, SSDC and NELFUND are positioning the South-South region as a hub for clean energy, education-driven growth, and sustainable youth empowerment.
