By Egena Sunday Ode
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held separate meetings with the founder of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Kurfi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Although no official reason was given for the meetings, Ovia, who is also Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), arrived at the State House at about 2:15 p.m. in his customary black suit and red tie.
Sources said the Budget Office DG was at the Villa for a routine briefing with the President behind closed doors.
Ovia has chaired the NELFUND board since his appointment by President Tinubu on April 26, 2024.
His appointment came less than three weeks after the President signed into law the Access to Higher Education Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Act, which established the interest-free student loan scheme.
NELFUND provides interest-free loans to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary and vocational institutions to cover approved educational costs.
The loan is voluntary, applied for online, and repayable after graduation and employment through a capped income deduction.
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