The House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing has extended congratulations to Mr. Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc, following his appointment as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by President Bola Tinubu.
Ovia’s appointment, made official on Friday, April 26, 2024, aligns with a recently enacted law granting the President the authority to appoint the board and management of the Fund, as stipulated in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund Act of 2024.
In a letter dated May 2, addressed to Ovia and shared with journalists on Monday, Committee Chairman Adegboyega Isiaka praised Ovia’s distinguished career and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the Fund to greater achievements.
The letter highlighted Ovia’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, particularly within the financial sector. Isiaka emphasized Ovia’s strategic thinking and managerial acumen, citing them as essential qualities for his new role.
Isiaka, representing Egbado North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency, Ogun State, underscored the importance of strong leadership and integrity for the Fund to fulfill its mandate of providing accessible higher education financing.
He noted that expanding access to higher education financing is pivotal for socio-economic development and stressed the need for technical expertise, innovation, passion, and integrity in leadership—qualities he believes Ovia embodies.
The Committee Chairman expressed eagerness to collaborate with Ovia and the NELFUND board, emphasizing their shared commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the broader goal of leveraging education to combat poverty in Nigeria.
The letter concluded with heartfelt congratulations to Ovia and a pledge of support from the House Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, underscoring their collective determination to ensure the success of this vital initiative.
