The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the possibility of expanding its student loan programme to include learners in private tertiary institutions within the next three years.
This was disclosed by NELFUND’s Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, during a strategic stakeholder engagement and sensitisation campaign in Enugu State. The event, held in South-East Nigeria, aimed to raise awareness of the loan programme among institutional heads and community leaders. To ensure clarity, the sensitisation drive featured local dialects to cater to the region’s diverse audience.
Sawyerr emphasized that while the long-term goal is to make the scheme inclusive of all Nigerian students, the Fund is currently focused on meeting the urgent financial needs of students in public institutions.
“We’ve only been operational for a year,” he said. “Right now, our priority is to support students in public universities and colleges who are at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints. Once we’ve made significant impact in that sector, we will review the programme within two to three years and explore expanding it to private institutions.”
Sawyerr also addressed concerns regarding the loan application process, noting that challenges are mostly tied to misinformation, lack of awareness, and technological barriers.
“Many people assume the programme isn’t meant for them because of tech issues or a lack of clarity. That’s why we’re here — to guide them through the process and ensure institutions are actively involved,” he added.
Dr. Chinyere Onyeisi, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Education Innovation, described the loan scheme as a crucial support system for students and urged institutional leaders to spread awareness about the programme.
“Education is a broad sector that needs sustained investment. The NELFUND loan scheme is real, and it’s already transforming lives in other parts of the country. It’s time for students in the South-East, especially Enugu, to take advantage of this opportunity,” Onyeisi stated.
According to NELFUND, the South-East currently records the lowest number of student applications for the loan, making regional sensitisation efforts all the more vital.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund was established to reduce financial barriers to higher education and ensure equitable access for students across the country.
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