FIC Report (Kogi State) – The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has disclosed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed over N200 billion to more than 1.1 million students nationwide, ensuring that no Nigerian is denied access to education due to financial constraints.
The minister made this known on Monday in Nagazi, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, during the commissioning of the GYB Model Secondary School, a flagship project under the state’s mega school initiative spearheaded by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Alausa, who commended the governor’s bold strides in education, described the project as a reflection of a well-coordinated and forward-thinking strategy to reposition the sector.
He noted that the transformation of the school from a community institution into a modern, well-equipped learning centre underscores how enduring legacies are built through deliberate investment in human capital.
Highlighting the impact of federal intervention through NELFUND, the minister said the scheme had recorded remarkable success within two years, easing financial barriers for students across the country.
He also praised the Kogi State Government’s complementary policies, including free education and payment of examination fees such as WAEC, JAMB, and NABTEB for public school students, noting that the initiatives have significantly reduced the number of out-of-school children in the state.
Alausa expressed satisfaction with the spread of GYB Model Schools across the three senatorial districts, revealing that another mega school in Okebukun, Kabba Local Government Area, was ready for commissioning, while six others were nearing completion in different parts of the state.
He urged teachers and school administrators to match the government’s investment with dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to service delivery.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo described the newly commissioned school as a monumental expression of his administration’s resolve to raise a generation equipped with knowledge, character, and leadership capacity.
He said the project reflects a deliberate commitment to building enduring value in the lives of young people and advancing the overall development of Kogi State.
According to him, the mega school initiative forms part of a broader and carefully structured vision to transform education across the state, ensuring that every child, regardless of location, has access to quality education in a conducive and inspiring environment.
“What we are commissioning today represents a key component of a comprehensive and deliberate statewide transformation strategy,” the governor said.
Ododo also acknowledged the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attributing the state’s ability to execute large-scale projects to increased revenues resulting from the Federal Government’s economic reforms.
He noted that funds previously lost to subsidy regimes are now being redirected towards critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
In his vote of thanks, the Vice Chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, described the occasion as more than the unveiling of a physical structure.
As an alumnus of the school, he said the development represents the fulfilment of a long-held dream and a powerful statement that the future of every child in Kogi State is valued.
He noted that the project sends a clear message that the aspirations of young people are recognised and that their potential deserves the highest level of investment.
The GYB Model Secondary School, Nagazi,formerly Ebira Community Secondary School, Ogaminana, boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including 18 classrooms with multiple arms, a well-equipped library, modern science laboratories, an ICT centre, and a 326-capacity Computer-Based Test facility.
The school also features sports facilities, water and sanitation systems, and a secure learning environment, currently serving over 1,700 students.
The commissioning marks another milestone in Kogi State’s ongoing efforts to redefine its educational landscape through strategic investments and partnerships aimed at securing a brighter future for its youth.
Maryam Abubakar Gulma
CIPRO FIC LOKOJA
13th April 2026
