Financial challenges continue to affect access to higher education in Nigeria, making student loan initiatives and institutional partnerships increasingly important.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, are seeking to strengthen their collaboration to ensure more eligible students benefit from the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
NELFUND Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, received ABU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adamu Ahmed, during a courtesy visit on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
The meeting focused on expanding access to tertiary education, improving engagement between NELFUND and universities, and ensuring the effective implementation of the student loan programme.
Both institutions reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration to prevent financial constraints from hindering students’ academic aspirations.
The engagement also reflects NELFUND’s efforts to strengthen relationships with tertiary institutions across Nigeria and improve access to education financing.
Under the student loan scheme, eligible Nigerian students can access interest-free loans to cover approved institutional charges, with upkeep support available where applicable.
The initiative, introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is aimed at reducing the financial burden of higher education on students and their families.
As NELFUND continues to engage universities such as ABU, stronger institutional partnerships could play an important role in ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent eligible students from pursuing their academic goals.
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