The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has called for greater involvement in its student loan scheme from institutions and students in the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria.
During a workshop in Abuja on Monday, May 5, 2025, NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr appealed to stakeholders to actively engage in the scheme’s process to support students’ educational funding.
The three-day workshop, which started with universities, will later involve polytechnics, mono-technics, and colleges of education across the country.
Sawyerr explained that the workshop aimed to ensure the student loan system becomes more transparent and accessible through digitalisation.
He reassured participants that only current students would receive loans, addressing concerns about disbursements going to graduates.
He stated that complaints from former students would not affect the established process for verifying applicants’ eligibility.
Ifeoluwa Ehindero, Chairperson of the House Committee on Students’ Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, also spoke at the event, urging further modernisation of the system to enhance efficiency and accountability in the loan application and disbursement process.
NELFUND’s Executive Director of Operations, Iyal Mustapha, revealed that over 576,000 students have already registered for the loan scheme, with applications totalling ₦170.4 billion.
He urged institutions in the South-South and South-East regions to increase awareness and encourage timely applications to meet the funding needs of students.
The NELFUND initiative is designed to provide financial aid to needy students, ensuring they can access quality education without the financial strain often experienced in higher institutions.
Leave feedback about this