The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was established on April 3, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu, who signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act into law, which gave birth to NELFUND.
However, in Kogi State, not many students have been able to access the loan. Some students of the Federal University Lokoja who spoke with our correspondent in Lokoja said their application had been pending months after they applied, while others complained of difficult registration procedures, among other challenges.
When contacted, FUL authorities said the institution had not received any NELFUND payment for students. The university’s public relations officer said, “The accountant said he is not aware of any such disbursement yet.
“Sir, no such payment has been received in FUL.”
The vice chancellor of Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba, Prof. Kehinde Eniola, disclosed to our correspondent who visited the school in Kabba that 750 students of the institution have so far benefited from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The VC gave the breakdown as follows: 101 students were captured in August 2024, 326 in September 2024, and 247 in November 2024, while 76 students were captured in January 2025. The VC was very optimistic that more students would benefit from the programme.
It was also gathered that NELFUND credits the account of Prince Abubakar Audu University for 127 students for school fees. Information obtained on the website said, “The management of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, has officially acknowledged the receipt of ₦13,615,750 as payment for the school fees of 127 students.”
NELFUND is a financial institution that provides loans to Nigerian students for higher education, vocational training, and skills acquisition. The loan scheme is designed to help students and parents overcome financial barriers to education.
According to the law, the loan is interest-free and available to new and existing full-time students in tertiary institutions. It is a revolving scheme, with repayment starting two years after the completion of the NYSC scheme.
Speaking with our correspondent in Lokoja, Isah Haruna, a parent whose two children attend the federal university, called on the federal government to make the process seamless and more accessible.
“With all the noise about NELFUND, not many students have been able to access it in Kogi State. My children have applied since the beginning of the programme, and they have yet to get it. Their application is still pending. They should simplify the process,” Haruna said.
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