NELFUND says South-East, South-South lag behind other zones in student loan applications
By Uji A. Iliyasu
Abuja
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has called on tertiary institutions in the South-East and South-South regions to step up efforts in sensitising students to apply for the ongoing student loan scheme, noting a significantly lower application rate compared to other regions.
The call was made during a three-day stakeholders’ engagement and technical workshop organised by the Fund in Abuja, focusing on system automation and the loan application process. The event, which began on Monday with universities, is expected to continue with polytechnics, monotechnics, andother institutions on Tuesday, and conclude on Wednesday with colleges of education, agriculture, health, and nursing.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, described the workshop as a key milestone in efforts to deliver a transparent, student-centric financial aid system.
He addressed concerns regarding reports of disbursements to already-graduated students, stating that the Fund adheres strictly to due process. “We are custodians of public funds, and no payments are made without thorough verification. Applicants who applied in their final year must still follow established procedures to confirm eligibility and prevent abuse,” Sawyerr said.
He emphasized that the platform’s development is being shaped by ongoing input from stakeholders, which will help resolve practical challenges faced by students and institutions.
Chairman of the House Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, reiterated the importance of modernising the loan management system. He highlighted the need for a streamlined and automated process that ensures timely, accountable, and efficient delivery of financial aid.
“For this initiative to succeed, we must go beyond legislative support. We need feedback from institutions to ensure that the system works effectively for everyone involved,” Ehindero said.
Executive Director of Operations at NELFUND, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, revealed that 576,058 students have registered on the platform, with total applications valued at ₦170.4 billion. He urged institutions in the South-East and South-South to increase awareness campaigns to encourage more students to apply.
Also speaking, the National Universities Commission (NUC) representative, Lawal Mohammed Faruk, described NELFUND as one of the most impactful policies of the Federal Government. “Our hope is that NELFUND will eventually cover all students across public and private institutions,” he stated.
The workshop serves as both a training and feedback platform to improve the system’s functionality for future applicants.