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Tag: NELFUND

  • NELFUND to clear backlog of upkeep allowance of 11,685 student loan beneficiaries totalling N927.98m

    NELFUND to clear backlog of upkeep allowance of 11,685 student loan beneficiaries totalling N927.98m

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed more than N161.97 billion to tertiary institutions for tuition fees and upkeep for over 864,798 students across the country.

    The agency said it recorded over 1.36 million loan applications from eligible students on its portal.

    Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, gave these details on Tuesday during a press conference in Abuja, where he provided an update on the performance of the student loan scheme and addressed concerns over delayed upkeep allowances.

    Sawyerr said the organisation was in the process of reconciling outstanding students’ upkeep payments amounting to N927.98 million, affecting 11,685 beneficiaries nationwide.

    The NELFUND boss explained that the outstanding payments were uncovered following a routine reconciliation conducted at the end of the 2024/2025 academic session.

    He clarified that the delays were not the result of withheld funds or policy failures, but were caused by technical and operational challenges, including temporary network downtime, failed transactions, and difficulties validating some student’s bank account details.

    According to him, the reconciliation process will involve direct engagement with affected students, a defined grace period for updating or submitting alternative bank account details, and multi-layer validation involving the fund’s IT, client support, audit and finance teams.

    The NELFUND boss added that payments will be made promptly once verification was completed.

    Sawyerr said, “Our team carried out a routine reconciliation of student upkeep payments. This process revealed that 11,685 students currently have outstanding upkeep payments totalling N927.98 million.

    “Let me be very clear, these are not cases of withheld funds or policy failure. Rather, they are the result of technical and operational issues, including temporary network downtime, failed transactions, and instances where bank account details could not be validated at the time of processing.

    “In line with the President’s directive on accountability and efficiency in public service, Management has approved a one-time, focused reconciliation process to resolve all outstanding cases. This includes direct engagement with affected students and a defined grace period for updating or providing alternative bank account details.”

    Sawyerr noted that since the launch of the NELFUND Student Loan Portal, the response from Nigerian students has been significant and encouraging.

    He said that as of Tuesday, January 13, a total of 1,361,011 applications have been received, while 864,798 students have so far benefited from the loan scheme, with total disbursement standing at N161.97 billion.

    He explained that N89.94 billion was paid directly to 263 tertiary institutions for tuition and institutional fees, and N72.03 billion was paid directly to students as upkeep allowances.

    Sawyerr said, “These figures are not just statistics. They represent real lives impacted, real barriers removed, and real opportunities created.”

    He added that the student loan scheme reflected President Tinubu’s firm belief that no Nigerian child should be denied education because of financial limitations.

    Sawyerr assured students and their families that NELFUND remains committed to fairness and efficiency, noting that the fund’s systems are designed not only to disburse funds, but also to protect public resources and ensure accuracy.

    Read Also: The NELFUND We praise, The man we forget

    He added that the N20,000 monthly upkeep allowance has helped ease financial pressure on students and reduce dropout rates across tertiary institutions.

    Sawyerr said that NELFUND plans to expand its sensitisation efforts beyond campuses to parents, guardians, traditional rulers and community leaders, in order to deepen trust and awareness of the scheme at the grassroots level.

    He said, “This year, our focus will expand to another very important group within the NELFUND ecosystem: parents, guardians, and traditional institutions.

    “We will be engaging traditional rulers, community leaders, parents, and faith-based institutions, taking the message of NELFUND to churches, mosques, motor parks, and community spaces across the country.

    “This is about taking NELFUND to the grassroots, ensuring that families understand the scheme, trust the process, and are empowered to support their children in accessing higher education.”

    Executive Director, Operations, NELFUND, Mustapha Iyal, disclosed that a total of 325 institutions have been onboarded for the 2025/2026 academic session, which commenced in November last year, with eligible students of about 3,730,331.

    He added that 283,275 loan applications have been verified for the 2025/2026 academic session, while N12.5 billion has been disbursed as institutional charges to 117,640 beneficiaries.

    Iyal added that upkeep payments for these students will commence this January.

    He explained that upkeep is paid per session, not for the entire 12 months, and urged students to apply for each session to receive the allowance.

  • The NELFUND We praise, The man we forget

    The NELFUND We praise, The man we forget

    • By Ibrahim Ajala

    One initiative the incumbent All Progressives Congress-led government has taken that’s greatly popular with average Nigerians is setting up the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). 

    Despite criticism over harsh economic decisions – though I’m optimistic these policies may yield long-term benefits – NELFUND is a welcome relief for millions. Beneficiaries across Nigeria have shared heartwarming testimonies about the student loan programme. 

    Although, with living costs still high despite dropping inflation, NELFUND’s tuition support and upkeep allowance are huge reliefs for low-income students. I must give credits to the managers of the fund for running the programme transparently and in an inclusive manner, devoid of favouritism and nepotism that sometimes make government social interventions doubtful.

    However, applause surrounding NELFUND rings incomplete without giving due recognition to the Chief of staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, for his pivotal role in initiating the ‘Access to High Education Bill’ in the House of Representatives that eventually birthed the students’ loan programme. 

    NELFUND management’s omission–or refusal–to acknowledge its founding story is an inexcusable administrative faux pas. Before writing, I searched online for any mention of NELFUND origin — but found none, including its digital space.

     Let me be clear: this is not a criticism of NELFUND’s activity or undue praise of Gbajabiamila. Rather, it is about correcting the belief that only the executive arm runs the government, treating others as mere appendages and obliterating the fact that, in actuality, it is a system of interdependent parts. 

    It is also about Nigeria’s failure to consistently honour citizens, whose initiatives uplift the nation. Still, it is about making such a recognition a national culture, different from mere performative occurrence. I only decided to use Gbajabiamila’s situation to pinpoint this anomaly. After all, NELFUND was not spontaneous; it did not drop from the sky. Since the Nigerian Student Loan Board (the precursor to the failed Nigerian Education Bank, Decree 50 of 1993) was liquidated, it took three decades to get NELFUND. I strongly believe that only someone with students’ interests at heart, who believes education as a key to self-reliance and national development, could have pursued the initiative. 

    Read Also: Aggrieved ex-police officers seek Tinubu’s intervention over court-order reinstatement

    This is how I view Gbajabiamila’s role in fathering NELFUND — through the Access to Higher Education Bill he introduced in 2016 and his past interventions in the dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities versus government dispute. It is instructive to note that the bill did not become a law until 2023 – after it then APC presidential campaign team used it as a key messaging tool. Any way you look at it, the NELFUND’s management ought to acknowledge the seven years of legislative toil and resilience by the sponsor of the initiative.

    Looking at it from another perspective, this deficiency in national recognition is an area where the National Orientation Agency (NOA) must do better. The NOA is, incidentally, a key institutional partner of NELFUND and frequently serves as the megaphone for its successes. Yet, while the NOA amplifies NELFUND’s gains, it suffers from the same “selective amnesia”. 

    As the agency tasked with promoting patriotism and national values, NOA has a basic duty to publicize and celebrate the labors of those who contribute to the national fabric. The agency must understand that giving recognition reinforces positive values, inspires resilience, and, perhaps most importantly, arouses a patriotic spirit in the youth who can then see that service to the fatherland attracts honor. 

    Although, some may argue that the efficiency of a public institution or cause matters more than who initiated it. Such an argument, however, is specious, parochial, and disregards the deeper psychological forces that propel human growth. Abraham Maslow, the eminent American psychologist, outlined a five-tiered Hierarchy of Needs, with “Esteem” – explained as the craving for respect, achievement, and recognition – at its core. These are not trivial desires; they are basic drivers that inspire individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. Let me illustrate it with a soccer game. The cheers from the spectators and the encouragement of a coach often fuel a footballer’s hunger for result. It is the same in education, where a student who receives praise for an outstanding performance is far more likely determined to beat own record of accomplishment. 

    Likewise, organizational studies consistently reveal that acknowledgment—whether through awards, promotions, or even simple verbal appreciation–remains one of the most powerful motivators for sustained productivity and innovation. Unless we are prepared to argue that government institutions are esoteric, robotic systems to which humanistic psychology does not apply, which they are not.

     As I earlier stated, NELFUND is doing an admirable job and changing the narrative regarding public service delivery in Nigeria. It has proven that a government agency can be responsive, technology-driven, and free from nepotism. However, for its success to be holistic, it must also address its “gratitude deficit.”  

    Therefore, as NELFUND continues to provide a lifeline to thousands of Nigerian students, it must also restitute this anomaly. Acknowledging the role of the legislature and the specific contributions of Femi Gbajabiamila would not diminish the achievements of NELFUND management. It is time for our institutions to reflect the best of our national values – not just in what they deliver, but in how they remember those who made that delivery possible. The labors of our heroes past and present must indeed never be in vain.

    Ajala, a lawyer, writes from Kwara

  • NDLEA convicts 87 illicit drug pushers, arrests 1018 suspects in Kastina

    NDLEA convicts 87 illicit drug pushers, arrests 1018 suspects in Kastina

    The Katsina State  Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has convicted  87 illicit drug barons and  arrested 1,018 suspects in 2025.

    Mr Isma’il Danmalam, the state Narcotic Commander ( NC), made this known on Tuesday in Katsina while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command in the year under review.

    Danmalam said that p 86 suspects  are still undergoing trial.

    He  said that out of the 1,018 suspects arrested, 992 were males and 26 females.

    According to him, more than 2.4 tonnes of different illicit drugs were confiscated in the year under review.

    He commended the  Chairman of the Agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa for motivating the officers in recording the successes.

    “These achievements are clearly reflected in the operations of the  command  through a balanced application of supply reduction (kinetic) and demand reduction (non-kinetic) strategies.

    Read Also: Over 788,000 benefit from NELFUND student loan – minister

    “These operations led to the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit substances, including 1,667.747kg of Cannabis, 12.348kg of Codeine Psychotropic substances 793.66kg.

    He said the command conducted 203 sensitisation and advocacy programmes that  reached  75,135 beneficiaries across schools, communities, and institutions.

    He  said about 451 individuals received counseling, while 58 clients were admitted for rehabilitation

    “This demonstrated  NDLEA’s commitment to prevention, treatment, and reintegration.” he said

    He, however, said that  despite these achievements, the Command   has continuously  faced logistical challenges that affect operational efficiency.

    The Narcotic  Commander  appealed to stakeholders and the government to support the command to overcome its challenges for maximum results.

    While stressing that the fight against drugs requires collective responsibility, he called on communities to support information sharing, advocacy, and community policing to sustain the fight.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Commander used the occasion to decorate some of the 61 personnel recently promoted  in the command.

    (NAN) 

  • 1116 AAUA students benefit from NELFUND loan

    1116 AAUA students benefit from NELFUND loan

    The Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, says 1,116 students of the institution have benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

    Ige, who made the disclosure in a chat with journalists in Akungba-Akoko, said the university had received a total of N144,530,000 from NELFUND.

    He explained that the funds would cover tuition and statutory charges for eligible students of the institution.

    The vice-chancellor expressed appreciation to NELFUND for its support to students through the loan initiative, noting that the interest-free loans had been able to ease financial pressure on students.

    Said he: “The University is enjoying NELFUND. It started last year, and currently, over 1,116 students have benefited and have been given NELFUND loans totalling N144,530,000.

    “That is the amount that has been released to AAUA to date for NELFUND.”

    Ige, while speaking on his five-year stewardship, said the university had made tremendous progress and sustained its position as a leading centre of research and learning.

    He added that the university had made commendable progress on all fronts, particularly in research, academic expansion, staff and student welfare, sports and skills development, and partnerships for global visibility.

    “When I assumed office on July 7 2021, I did so with a heart full of hope and a clear vision to make Adekunle Ajasin University a cynosure of excellence.

    Read Also: Lagos APC hails NELFUND’s expansion to vocational training

    “Those goals were not mere words; they became the blueprint for action.

    “Today, I am grateful to God and proud to say that, together, we have made significant strides.

    “The university has not only sustained its reputation as one of the best state universities in Nigeria but has also advanced in research, digital learning, staff development, and community service,” he said.

    The vice-chancellor while acknowledging that these successes would not have been possible without the support of Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also appreciated the staff, students and unions for their cooperation.

    On academic integrity, Ige stated that his administration overhauled structures to strengthen academic programmes, leading to the full accreditation of all programmes and the establishment of new faculties and departments.

    “We have significantly broadened our academic landscape by expanding the number of faculties from seven to ten.

    “We established three new faculties: Administration and Management Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Computing; alongside new Departments of French, Food Science, and Library and Information Science.

    “We have completed the construction of the Faculty of Science and the new Faculty of Social Sciences buildings.

    “Furthermore, we have successfully renovated the 30-Classroom Quadrangle, Intercontinental Hall, and the Faculty of Education buildings.

    “Our Business School in Akure has also been upgraded and furnished with modern fittings,” he said.

    He pledged to sustain the tempo, further support student welfare through scholarships and work-study schemes, and maintain a commitment to sports development.

    (NAN)

  • FSS Oyo hails NELFUND for boosting access to education

    FSS Oyo hails NELFUND for boosting access to education

    The Federal School of Survey (FSS) Oyo has commended the federal government’s NELFUND policy, describing it as a vital initiative that has helped bring education closer to underprivileged communities.

    The institution, whose 22nd set of graduands are the pioneer beneficiaries of the fund, noted that it has greatly benefitted from the educational policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the school’s 22nd convocation, Rector Surv. Dupe Olayinka-Dosumun called for increased and sustained funding from the federal government. 

    She emphasised the need for financial support from both the Presidency and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, particularly for ongoing projects that have yet to receive adequate funding.

    Surv. Olayinka-Dosumun expressed gratitude for timely government interventions and assured that the school will continue to play a strategic role in developing manpower for Nigeria’s surveying and mapping sector. She affirmed that management, staff, and students remain committed to ensuring that government investments are used judiciously.

    “This great citadel, which is the Beacon of Modern Surveying and Geoinformatics and other Allied courses in Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa in her existence over a century has produces Professionals, Technologists, Technicians of high reputes in field of Surveying and Geoinformatics and other related programmes for the National Economy in a sustainable and conducive learning environment.

    “Please note that many of the Doyens in Surveying Profession and countless Surveyor General passed through this institution.

    “I am to inform this assembly that the School within the last four (4) years when we had the 21st Convocation Ceremony (December 2021) had witnessed lots of pragmatic developments as the School Management continue to work hard to elevate the status of Federal School of Surveying, Oyo to an enviable height.

    “Many challenges facing the country at the moment requires the expertise of Map Makers and Geomaticians deploring the use of modern Technology to solve, I therefore want to congratulate all our graduands because you have acquired the right knowledge as your inputs is highly needed in this trying times.”

  • Otunba Femi Adewunmi, Oluwadare Kehinde champion NELFUND sensitisation as Ogun records over N785m in disbursements

    Otunba Femi Adewunmi, Oluwadare Kehinde champion NELFUND sensitisation as Ogun records over N785m in disbursements

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has recorded a milestone in Ogun State following its recent sensitisation programme at the Crownbirth Event Centre, Ijebu-Ife.

    The engagement, facilitated by Otunba Femi Adewunmi and hosted by Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde (Hacco), chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, has led to a significant increase in awareness and uptake of the NELFUND student loan scheme across the region.

    The sensitisation, which brought together parents, guardians, students, community leaders and educational stakeholders, provided in-depth guidance on how to apply for and access the NELFUND student loan — a Federal Government initiative designed to remove financial barriers to higher education.

    To highlight the importance of the initiative, Adewunmi noted: “Our goal was simple — to ensure that no student in our communities is left behind because of financial barriers. I am proud of the impact this sensitisation has achieved, and I commend NELFUND for delivering real opportunities to our young people.”

    NELFUND confirmed the following disbursements for the 2024/2025 academic session, with the institutions below acknowledging receipt of funds:

    •Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science & Technology, Omu-Ajose

    Batch 1: 264 students — N33,575,000

    Batch 2: 59 students — N6,997,500

    Total: N40,572,500

    •Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)

    3,473 students — N718,585,000

    •Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic

    Batch 1: 87 students — N12,164,500

    Batch 2: 18 students — N14,779,500

    Speaking on the impact of the programme, NELFUND’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, lauded the collaborative effort.

    Sawyerr said: “Our mission is to democratise access to higher education for every Nigerian student, regardless of financial background. The support from community leaders like Otunba Femi Adewunmi and Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde shows what is possible when government institutions and local stakeholders work together.”

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    He added that NELFUND remains committed to expanding such engagements across all six geopolitical zones to ensure broad awareness and seamless access to the loan scheme.

    NELFUND acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of Otunba Femi Adewunmi, whose facilitation of the Ijebu-Ife sensitisation programme played a critical role in the successful uptake recorded in Ogun State.

    The Fund reiterates its dedication to ensuring that every eligible student in Nigeria is informed, supported and empowered to access the NELFUND student loan.

    It noted that more sensitisation exercises and institutional visits are scheduled across the country as part of ongoing nationwide outreach.

  • FULL LIST: Top 10 Institutions with highest NELFUND loan applications as of October 2025

    FULL LIST: Top 10 Institutions with highest NELFUND loan applications as of October 2025

    Nigeria’s new student loan programme has emerged as one of the country’s most closely watched education support initiatives, drawing a surge of interest since its rollout.

    In October 2025 alone, the portal recorded 451,535 successful interest-free loan applications—underscoring how quickly students are embracing the opportunity to fund tuition and upkeep costs.

    The rise in applications comes at a time when many households are struggling with higher living expenses, increased fees across public universities, and broader economic pressures. For a growing number of students, the loan scheme has become an essential lifeline for staying in school and covering daily costs.

    Less than two years after its launch on May 24, 2024, the programme has disbursed more than N116 billion in both tuition payments and upkeep allowances. The figures highlight just how extensively students now rely on government-backed financing to continue their studies.

    This report examines the institutions with the highest volume of applications, offering insight into where demand for educational support is strongest.

    Below is a breakdown of the top 10 institutions by total applications from May 2024 to October 2025.

    1. University of Maiduguri (Borno): 85,050 applications

    Established in 1975, the University of Maiduguri is one of the largest federal institutions in northern Nigeria. With a student population of 83,980, the university operates 37 faculties and centres, 103 departments, and boasts 112 professors.

    The school recorded 33,673 undergraduate loan applications, reflecting one of the strongest adoption rates of the NELFUND scheme nationwide. As the loans are available only to undergraduates, the high turnout demonstrates significant student reliance on government-backed financial support.

    UNIMAID offers extensive programmes in agriculture, medicine, engineering, law, and humanities, serving more than 50,000 students across various levels.

    2. Bayero University, Kano (Kano): 54,419 applications

    Founded in 1977, Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has grown into a major academic hub in northern Nigeria. It runs 97 departments offering 163 undergraduate and 524 postgraduate programmes to its 38,829 students.

    The institution recorded 54,419 total applications, with 26,595 students approved for upkeep support—one of the highest nationwide.

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    BUK ranks 3rd in Nigeria and 1001–1200 globally in the Times Higher Education 2026 World University Rankings.

    3. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (Katsina): 50,737 applications

    Established in 2011, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) was part of the federal initiative to expand access to higher education. It operates nine faculties, 73 departments and serves 29,447 students, including 26,819 undergraduates.

    By October, FUDMA had received 50,737 loan applications, with 25,074 approved for upkeep support.

    The university runs 248 undergraduate and over 1,000 postgraduate programmes across fields including Agriculture, Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Education, and Medical Sciences.

    FUDMA is not ranked in THE 2026 World University Rankings.

    4. Ahmadu Bello University (Kaduna): 46,663 applications

    Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria—established in 1962—is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious federal institutions.

    With about 35,000 students, 18 faculties, and 110 departments, ABU boasts 2,939 academic staff, including 641 professors.

    The university recorded 46,663 total applications, with 23,004 students approved for upkeep.

    ABU ranks 6th best in Nigeria and 1201–1500 globally in the THE 2026 World University Rankings.

    5. University of Ilorin (Kwara): 44,735 applications

    The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), founded in 1975, is one of Nigeria’s largest universities, enrolling more than 50,000 students. It operates 16 faculties and over 100 academic departments, alongside 29 research centres and institutes.

    UNILORIN received 44,735 NELFUND applications, with 21,506 approved for upkeep.

    The school is not featured in the THE 2026 World University Rankings.

    6. University of Jos (Plateau): 35,913 applications

    The University of Jos (UNIJOS), established in 1975, runs 12 faculties across multiple campuses, covering Agriculture, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Health Sciences.

    With a student population of about 40,000, the institution recorded 35,913 applications, including 17,606 upkeep requests.

    UNIJOS is not featured in the THE 2026 World University Rankings.

    Its teaching hospital, JUTH, strengthens its medical and clinical training capacity.

    7. Usmanu Danfodiyo University (Sokoto): 35,714 applications

    Founded in 1975, Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS) serves communities across Nigeria’s northwest, including many from underserved backgrounds.

    UDUS recorded 35,714 total applications, with 17,603 for upkeep support—reflecting strong interest in financial aid.

    The university operates 17 faculties, a postgraduate school, and multiple research centres. It has an estimated 23,491 students, according to THE data.

    UDUS is not featured in the THE 2026 rankings, though it appeared in the 1501+ band in 2025.

    8. Federal University of Kashere (Gombe): 34,208 applications

    Founded in 2010, Federal University of Kashere (FUKashere) has grown steadily as part of efforts to expand higher education access in the North-East.

    The institution runs six faculties and postgraduate programmes. It recorded 34,208 loan applications, with 16,878 for upkeep.

    According to NUC data, the university has 4,694 students (3,591 male and 1,103 female).

    FUKashere is not ranked in the THE 2026 World University Rankings.

    9. Taraba State University, Jalingo (Taraba): 32,030 applications

    Taraba State University (TSU), founded in 2008, has experienced rapid growth from its initial 582 students to matriculating 5,471 students in 2023.

    TSU recorded 32,030 applications, including 15,712 for upkeep support, showing strong demand for financial assistance beyond tuition.

    The university hosts faculties in Agriculture, Science, Arts and Social Sciences, Management, Education, and ICT.

    NUC records show 4,302 registered students (2,617 male and 1,685 female).

    TSU is not featured in THE 2026 World University Rankings.

    10. University of Uyo (Akwa Ibom): 31,826 applications

    Established in 1991, the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) operates across five major campuses and offers more than 90 programmes across 12 faculties. It employs 1,521 academic staff and 4,128 administrative workers.

    UNIUYO recorded 31,826 total applications, with 15,605 for upkeep, indicating strong engagement with the loan scheme.

    The university has 23,873 students (12,435 male and 11,438 female), according to NUC data.

    Its teaching hospital, UUTH, enhances its capabilities in health sciences and medical training.

  • Otunba Adewumi, Ijebu East Chairman, champion NELFUND sensitisation as Ogun records over N785m in disbursements

    Otunba Adewumi, Ijebu East Chairman, champion NELFUND sensitisation as Ogun records over N785m in disbursements

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has recorded a major milestone in Ogun State following its recent sensitisation programme held at the Crownbirth Event Center, Ijebu-Ife.

    The engagement, facilitated by Otunba Femi Adewumi and hosted by Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde (Hacco), Executive Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, has led to a significant increase in awareness and uptake of the NELFUND student loan scheme across the region.

    The sensitisation exercise, which brought together parents, guardians, students, community leaders, and educational stakeholders, provided in-depth guidance on how to apply for and access the NELFUND student loan — a Federal Government initiative designed to remove financial barriers to higher education.

    To highlight the importance of the initiative, Adewumi noted: “Our goal was simple — to ensure that no student in our communities is left behind because of financial barriers. I am proud of the impact this sensitization has achieved, and I commend NELFUND for delivering real opportunities to our young people.”

    NELFUND confirmed the following disbursements for the 2024/2025 academic session, with the institutions below acknowledging receipt of funds:

    1. Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science & Technology, Omu-Ajose

     Batch 1: 264 students — N33,575,000

    Batch 2: 59 students — N6,997,500

    Total: N40,572,500

    2. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)

    3,473 students — N718,585,000

    3. Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic

    Batch 1: 87 students — N12,164,500

    Batch 2: 18 students — N14,779,500

    Speaking on the impact of the sensitisation programme, NELFUND’s Managing Director/CE, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, applauded the collaborative effort.

    READ ALSO: Only Nigerians can save the country, not Trump – Ex-Foreign Affairs Minister

    Sawyerr said: “Our mission is to democratize access to higher education for every Nigerian student, regardless of financial background. The support from community leaders such as Otunba Femi Adewumi and Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde shows what is possible when government institutions and local stakeholders work together.”

    He added that NELFUND remains committed to expanding such engagements across all six geopolitical zones to ensure broad awareness and seamless access to the loan scheme.

    NELFUND acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of Otunba Femi Adewumi, whose facilitation of the Ijebu-Ife sensitization programme played a critical role in the successful uptake recorded in Ogun State.

    The Fund reiterates its dedication to ensuring that every eligible student in Nigeria is informed, supported, and empowered to access the NELFUND student loan.

    It noted that more sensitisation exercises and institutional visits are scheduled across the country as part of ongoing nationwide outreach.

  • Lagos APC hails NELFUND’s expansion to vocational training

    Lagos APC hails NELFUND’s expansion to vocational training

    Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the bold and visionary steps taken by Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to extend its loan scheme to vocational and technical training institutions.

    Spokesman Oluseye Oladejo said in a statement yesterday in Ogba, Lagos: ‘’This is not just a policy decision – it is a national game-changer.

    ‘’Once again, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated what effective leadership looks like: identifying a gap, designing a solution and delivering it with precision, while the opposition continues its endless lamentations and empty rhetoric.’’

    He said for decades, millions of young Nigerians, whose future depended on skills acquisition – from engineering trades, digital technology, construction, creative industries, agriculture and manufacturing – were abandoned by a system that worshipped certificates but ignored competence.

    ‘’The Renewed Hope Agenda has now rewritten the story. With this expansion, no Nigerian youth will be denied opportunity because of financial barriers. Skill is finally taking its rightful place beside formal academics,’’ Oladejo added.

    He noted that NELFUND’s decision was a direct investment in the productive energy of youths, the heartbeat of Lagos, and the engine of Nigeria’s future.

    The Lagos APC spokesman said the development would deepen job creation, strengthen innovation, reduce unemployment and expand the country’s skilled workforce.

    He added: ‘’This is how nations are built – not through news conferences of bitterness and recycled talking points from defeated political actors.

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    ‘’While some political parties are busy organising conventions that resemble final funeral rites, APC-led administration is methodically building the future – brick by brick, reform by reform, policy by policy. This latest initiative is yet another reminder that leadership is not noise; leadership is vision backed by action.

    ‘’Lagos APC encourages our young people to take this opportunity with both hands. Lagos, the centre of excellence, is primed to benefit immensely – from tech hubs to creative districts, from industrial clusters to MSME corridors. Our youths now have a gateway to globally competitive skills that will define the next era of prosperity.

    ‘’We laud NELFUND’s management for rising above the limitations of the past and delivering a policy that empowers the many, not the privileged few. This is Renewed Hope in motion. This is governance with results.

    ‘’As always, Lagos APC remains aligned with President Tinubu’s transformative vision – a Nigeria where opportunities are expanded, the youth are equipped and the nation moves forward, while the opposition remains stuck in their echo chambers of despair.’’

  • NELFUND’s landmark

    NELFUND’s landmark

    • Hitting the one million applicants mark is worthy of celebration

    Greeted with scepticism in certain quarters when it was introduced in May 2024, the country’s renewed student loan scheme attracted more than one million applications in less than one year, a striking testimony to its appeal and acceptability.  

    The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), in a statement, announced the achievement of the milestone. Its Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, said crossing the one-million mark “symbolises renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to rise above financial barriers to education.”

    According to the agency, over N116bn has so far been disbursed to students across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria, covering both institutional charges and upkeep allowances.

    Beneficiaries so far include approximately 400,000 students across more than 100 tertiary institutions nationwide. A significantly higher number of applications came from the northern regions, with states like Kano, Borno, and Benue topping the list.

     President Bola Tinubu, in line with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, signed the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law, in April, last year. Under the law, NELFUND is to provide loans to qualified Nigerian students for tuition fees, charges and upkeep during their studies in approved public tertiary institutions and vocational and skills acquisition establishments in the country.

    The revised Student Loan Act 2024 was created to remove financial barriers and make education more accessible. It is commendably non-discriminatory. The agency emphasised its commitment to ensuring that “every qualified Nigerian student, regardless of background or location, can access education funding with transparency, efficiency, and dignity.” NELFUND stated that disbursements typically occur within 30 days of the approval of successful applications.

    It is noteworthy that the NELFUND scheme, established under the revised 2024 Act, has key features that fundamentally differentiate it from the older, largely unsuccessful student loan boards in Nigeria’s history, the Nigerian Students Loans Board (NSLB) established in 1972 and the Nigerian Education Bank (NEB) Act of 1993.  The differences primarily centre on interest rate, management structure, and loan recovery.

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    The most significant feature of the NELFUND loan is its zero-interest structure, making it a true student-support scheme rather than a commercial debt. Also, NELFUND is established as an independent, data-driven financial body with a dedicated, sustainable funding source, unlike its predecessors which relied heavily on fluctuating government budgets. In addition, the new scheme links repayment to verifiable employment data, which addresses the primary reason for the collapse of past schemes: a failure to recover loans.

    Repayment starts two years after the completion of the mandatory NYSC (National Youth Service Corps). It includes a mandatory 10 percent deduction from the beneficiary’s salary at the source (Pay As You Earn, or PAYE). It also uses a Global Standing Instruction (GSI) mandate on beneficiaries’ bank accounts. However, Sawyerr explained: “If they don’t get jobs for the next 10 years, which is not the plan, then they don’t pay the NELFUND any money.”

    The income-contingent nature of the loan underscores the need for the authorities to improve socio-economic conditions to boost employment – not just for national development, but for the financial viability of their own programme.

     It is crucial to ensure repayment for the continuity of the scheme. The revolving fund principle is essential for the long-term success of NELFUND. Without high recovery rates, the fund cannot be replenished to support future students.

    The Tinubu administration deserves kudos for this remarkable social intervention programme, which is ranked among its most popular initiatives. If the government can overcome the sustainability challenge, the scheme will not only contribute significantly to the country’s development but also demonstrate that personal integrity has not become irrelevant.