By Ireti Asemota.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that its student loan scheme has surpassed one million applications on the official portal — one of the highest participation levels recorded for a federal social intervention since the start of the Tinubu administration.
In a statement released on Sunday by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, the agency noted that the achievement comes less than a year after the programme’s launch on May 24, 2024, describing it as evidence that the initiative is gaining strong national acceptance and public confidence.
According to the agency, over ₦116 billion has already been disbursed to students across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide, covering both tuition-related costs and upkeep allowances.
NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, said the milestone reflects the positive impact of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on improving access to higher education.
“Crossing the one-million mark represents more than a statistic — it symbolizes renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to overcome financial obstacles to education.
It stands as proof of visionary leadership, sound policy formulation, and the collective effort of stakeholders driving this transformative agenda,”
Sawyerr stated.
The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to continuous process improvement, ensuring that every eligible Nigerian student can access education funding transparently, efficiently, and with dignity, regardless of their background or location.
NELFUND also emphasized that the scheme is non-discriminatory, benefiting Nigerians across all religions and ethnic groups, while promoting unity through equal educational opportunities.
The agency reiterated its mission to guarantee that no Nigerian is denied the chance to learn, grow, or contribute to national progress due to financial constraints.
