PRESS STATEMENT

BAT-IG Mobilises NELFUND Beneficiaries in Yobe for President Tinubu’s Re-election

October 12, 2026

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG) has mobilised Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) beneficiaries and other stakeholders in Yobe State for a political engagement focused on the Federal Government’s student loan initiative and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The engagement, held on Monday, October 12, at Cedars Hall, Damaturu, brought together students, youth leaders, party stakeholders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss the administration’s education policy and its implications for access to higher education.

The initiative aligns with BAT-IG’s Policy Enthusiast programme, launched on Thursday, May 14, 2026 to encourage beneficiaries of government policies, particularly NELFUND and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, to become policy advocates and enthusiasts for President Tinubu’s administration.

 Under the initiative, 10 beneficiaries are selected from each of the 8,809 political wards across the country to share brief videos highlighting the benefits they have received from government policies, with the aim of encouraging others in their communities to access similar opportunities. 

The selected policy enthusiasts receive monthly stipends of ₦20,000, a programme BAT-IG intends to expand across the federation.

Organised under the theme “BAT, KSM, MMB & WALI,” the event culminated in an endorsement of President Tinubu’s education policy by participating NELFUND beneficiaries, who also announced a pledge to mobilise 100,000 votes for the President and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The engagement highlighted the role of student financing in addressing one of the longstanding challenges facing Nigerian families: the financial burden of tertiary education.

Established under the Federal Government’s student loan framework, NELFUND provides eligible students with access to interest-free loans for institutional charges and upkeep, subject to the scheme’s applicable requirements. The initiative is designed to reduce financial barriers to higher education and enable more students to pursue their academic ambitions.

By bringing beneficiaries together for a discussion of the policy, the Yobe engagement provided a platform for participants to express their views on the initiative and its significance for students and their families.

The group also acknowledged the importance of sustained engagement with young Nigerians on government policies, particularly those affecting education, economic opportunity and social mobility.

The group’s ideological engagement emphasises the need to connect public policies with their intended beneficiaries, encourage informed participation in governance and strengthen communication between political stakeholders and communities.

The programme was held against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the APC seeking to consolidate its political support across the country.

Among the prominent leaders recognised at the engagement were President Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; and Baba Malam Wali, the APC’s reported 2027 gubernatorial candidate in the state.

Their inclusion under the event’s theme reflected the organisers’ emphasis on the relationship between federal leadership, state-level political mobilisation and the party’s electoral prospects in Yobe.

BAT-IG commended all facilitators, organisers, student representatives, youth leaders, party stakeholders and other participants whose contributions helped bring the engagement to fruition. The group particularly appreciated Comrade Abdulkarim Muhammad Mustapha, the BAT-IG Coordinator in Yobe State, for his role and contributions to the programme.

 The group recognised the importance of coordination, grassroots participation and cooperation among stakeholders in delivering a successful programme.

The group also acknowledged President Tinubu’s administration for introducing the student loan initiative as part of its efforts to expand access to higher education. It noted that the programme’s long-term value would depend on sustained implementation, effective administration, transparency and continued access for eligible students across the country.

The Damaturu engagement concluded with participants reaffirming their stated support for the student loan policy and announcing their intention to mobilise support for APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Signed:

Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi

Convenor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG)