By Chima Chima
Copyright businessday
Auto Bucks Lenders has appointed Adetoun Olasunkanmi as chief executive officer and rolled out an upgraded version of its EduFinance SME Loan, signaling a sharper focus on social impact and growth in Nigeria’s education sector.
The Lagos-based lender said the revamped facility is designed to ease funding constraints for private schools and education-focused businesses, offering faster approvals and repayment terms that align with academic cash flow cycles. Loan access can now be secured in as little as 72 hours, backed by advisory support from a dedicated EduFinance team.
“Education is the foundation of any thriving economy, and we believe financing should never be a barrier to delivering quality learning,” Olasunkanmi said in a statement. “Through our improved EduFinance product, we are enabling school owners and education entrepreneurs to scale operations, upgrade facilities, and improve learning outcomes.”
Read also: We exclusively focus on SME lending – Auto Bucks CEO
The product redesign follows months of consultations with school managers, many of whom face liquidity gaps that limit their ability to expand or improve infrastructure. By simplifying loan requirements, the lender aims to capture a larger share of the education finance market while deepening financial inclusion.
Olasunkanmi’s appointment comes as Auto Bucks Lenders broadens its focus beyond consumer lending to sectors such as energy, food, water and sanitation, trade, and production. The company said the move is part of a strategy to reposition itself as a partner in national development rather than a conventional lender.
Industry analysts say Olasunkanmi, who has built a career around inclusive finance and SME innovation, is well placed to steer the transition. Nigeria’s private education sector, which caters to millions of families shut out of underfunded public schools, continues to grow despite economic headwinds. Lenders like Auto Bucks see the market as a resilient entry point to expand social impact while building new revenue streams.
