The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has called on institutions and students from Nigeria’s South-South and South-East regions to actively participate in its student loan scheme.
Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, made the call during a stakeholder engagement and technical workshop on system automation and the loan application process held in Abuja on Monday. The three-day workshop, which commenced with universities, will later involve polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education.
Sawyerr emphasized the importance of the forum in shaping a transparent, digital, and student-centered financial aid platform for higher education in Nigeria. Addressing concerns that some disbursements had gone to already graduated students, he clarified that the fund follows a strict process to ensure only eligible and current applicants benefit.
“If a student applied in their final year and had already paid their fees, they are still obligated to attend school. Complaints from those who have graduated won’t invalidate the structured process we follow to verify genuine need,” Sawyerr explained.
He added that the engagement would help improve how the platform evolves and responds to the real challenges faced by students and institutions.
Also speaking at the event, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, Chairperson of the House Committee on Students Loan, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, highlighted the need to modernize the system to improve transparency and efficiency.
“This automation will make the loan application and disbursement process faster and more accountable,” she said, urging stakeholders to contribute feedback and expertise to ensure the system serves everyone effectively.
In his presentation, NELFUND’s Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, revealed that over 576,000 students have registered for the scheme, with applications totaling ₦170.4 billion.
He urged institutions in the South-East and South-South to step up sensitization efforts to encourage timely applications.
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