The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed over ₦282 billion to more than 1.5 million students across 288 tertiary institutions nationwide.
Mr. Awati Muhammed, Head of Loan Repayment and Reconciliation at NELFUND, disclosed this during a Democracy Day event organized by student union leaders across Northern Nigeria on Friday in Yola.
The event, themed “Thank You President Tinubu for Making Democracy Work for Students,” aimed to bring together students and stakeholders to discuss educational opportunities under the Federal Government’s initiatives.
Muhammed stated that the Northern Project Coordination Office (NPCO), in collaboration with NELFUND and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PI-CNG), has launched a sensitization campaign across 25 universities in Northern Nigeria.
The campaign seeks to educate students on the benefits of the interest-free education loan program and other Federal Government interventions in education.
“The outreach aims to increase awareness and encourage wider participation among eligible students.
“The scheme is helping to eliminate financial barriers that have historically hindered many young Nigerians from accessing tertiary education.
“It aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes access to quality education and youth empowerment,” Muhammed explained.
He reiterated NELFUND’s commitment to transparency and accountability in administering the loan scheme.
The campaign also offers students opportunities to interact directly with NELFUND officials and stakeholders.
Muhammed assured that efforts would continue across institutions in the North to ensure no eligible beneficiary is excluded.
Additionally, Abdulwahab Shehu, NELFUND Desk Officer at Modibbo Adama University, described the initiative as a significant step toward promoting equitable access to higher education.
He urged students to seek clarification on eligibility, application procedures, and repayment conditions to make informed decisions.
Shehu encouraged qualified students to take advantage of the program as a unique opportunity to pursue their academic goals without financial hardship.
A beneficiary, Abbas Aminu of Modibbo Adama University, described the scheme as a timely intervention that has eased tuition and other educational expenses.
Aminu said the loan allowed him to focus more on his studies and significantly reduced financial challenges associated with higher education.
