The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disclosed that over 1.5 million students across 288 tertiary institutions have benefited from its student loan scheme, with more than N282 billion disbursed nationwide.
This was disclosed by Mr. Awati Muhammed, Head of Loan Repayment and Reconciliation at NELFUND, during a Democracy Day engagement organised by student union leaders across Northern Nigeria on Friday in Yola.
The event was themed, “Thank You President Tinubu for Making Democracy Work for Students.”
According to Muhammed, the gathering was aimed at bringing together students and key stakeholders to discuss educational opportunities available through Federal Government initiatives.
He revealed that the Northern Project Coordination Office (NPCO), in partnership with NELFUND and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PI-CNG), had launched a sensitisation campaign across 25 universities in Northern Nigeria.
Muhammed explained that the campaign is designed to educate students on the benefits of the interest-free education loan programme and other government interventions in the education sector.
“The outreach is designed 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.
“The programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises access to quality education and youth empowerment,” he said.
He reaffirmed NELFUND’s commitment to transparency and accountability in implementing the loan scheme, adding that the sensitisation exercise would also provide students with opportunities to engage directly with NELFUND officials and other stakeholders.
Muhammed further assured students that the awareness campaign would continue across institutions in the North to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out of the programme.
Also speaking, Malam Abdulwahab Shehu, NELFUND Desk Officer at Modibbo Adama University, described the initiative as a significant step toward expanding access to higher education.
He advised students to seek proper clarification on eligibility requirements, application procedures and repayment terms to enable them make informed decisions.
Shehu also encouraged qualified students to take advantage of the programme, describing it as an opportunity to pursue their academic goals without financial hardship.
One of the beneficiaries, Abbas Aminu, a student of Modibbo Adama University, said the loan scheme had eased the burden of tuition and other educational expenses.
According to him, the intervention has allowed him to focus more on his studies while reducing the financial challenges associated with higher education.