With school fees soaring and the cost of living tightening its grip on students and their families, many Nigerian undergraduates are being pushed to the edge—trapped between ambition and rising costs. For some, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has brought a lifeline, easing the pressure with tuition support and monthly stipends. But while the program’s promise is real, the reality is more complicated: delays and bottlenecks at the institutional level have left several students stuck in uncertainty, unsure when relief will finally reach them.
The Student Loan initiative, introduced by the Federal Government through NELFUND, is designed to eliminate financial barriers in public tertiary education. It offers two major components: direct payment of institutional fees and a monthly stipend for student upkeep.
For institutions to participate, they must register with NELFUND and upload verified student data, including names, departments, and tuition breakdowns. Once cleared, students from the institution can apply for the loan using just their JAMB registration number and a valid student ID card—triggering an automatic pull of their academic details. According to beneficiaries interviewed by TheNigeriaEducationNews, the application process is seamless and efficient.
Students from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) shared their experiences with TheNigeriaEducationNews on how the initiative has impacted them—both positively and with challenges.
One student from OAU described the application process as straightforward:
“The application process was very smooth and swift, with no ambiguity—just my JAMB registration number and student ID card. Everything popped up immediately.”
However, issues began after approval, particularly with tuition disbursement.
“The disbursement is very slow in my school, and it delayed payment of tuition to the school board. That really affected many students. We were hoping the federal government would settle it, but the school kept saying they hadn’t received the payment.”
According to him, some students were forced to pay out of pocket just to register for courses, while others had to wait until the end of the session before being told the funds had finally been received.
“Now, they’re working on refunding students who already paid, but the process is dragging. They keep reassuring us that everyone affected will be refunded.”
On the upkeep side, though, the experience has been more positive.
“We only started getting stipends this year because of our school’s slow calendar. Some students in other schools got theirs last year. But so far, I’ve received mine every month without any issues. Apart from the tuition saga, NELFUND has really helped.”
Another student from UNILAG echoed similar sentiments, though she found encouragement from peers who had already benefited.
“In August 2024, I heard a colleague say they were already receiving monthly disbursements. The program covers both tuition and upkeep, and those who applied for both had started getting their upkeep loan. That gave me the push I needed because I knew it was legitimate.”
Like many, she initially approached the program with skepticism.
“I applied for the program as a leap of faith. Like many Nigerians, I had lost hope in government initiatives due to past disappointments.”
Her first monthly stipend came in January 2025 and has remained consistent. However, the delay in tuition disbursement nearly disrupted her academic progress.
“It came just a day or two before the school portal closed for course registration. Some students couldn’t wait and had to pay from their own pockets so they wouldn’t miss registration. Now, they’re struggling to get their money back.”
She also noted the growing burden of tuition since the hike in federal university fees.
“My school fees used to be around ₦20,000, but the recent increase has placed a heavy burden on students like me.”
Despite the obstacles, she remains grateful:
“Even though I’ll have to repay it later, the loan came through exactly when I needed it. It gave me emotional relief and the stability to continue school without the stress of financial uncertainty.”
For students like her, NELFUND has brought stability, allowing them to continue their studies without the added stress of financial uncertainty.
While the initiative holds promise for narrowing the education gap, its success hinges on smooth institutional cooperation and efficient execution. Universities must not only register and upload student data but also ensure timely and transparent disbursement of funds.
According to Mr. Akintunde Sawyer, Director of NELFUND, some institutions have failed to properly manage the funds they’ve received.
“Recent findings show that some institutions have received loan disbursements directly into their accounts but have neglected to notify students or credit their payments,” Mr. Sawyer said. “This failure has created unnecessary confusion and hardship for students who are left uncertain about their loan status.”
He emphasized that withholding vital financial information from students undermines the core principles of NELFUND. “Such actions are not only unethical but also a breach of the trust that NELFUND was built on,” he stated.
For students who rely on these loans to continue their education, delays and lack of communication are more than mere inconveniences—they jeopardize their academic future.
To fulfill its promise of transforming the education system, NELFUND must ensure that institutions act swiftly and transparently. The program’s success depends on a joint effort between the government and academic institutions, with an emphasis on efficient execution and open communication.
