By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said it disbursed more than ₦375 billion to students across the country as of October 2026, and has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to intensify public awareness of the scheme to ensure eligible beneficiaries are not left out.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, made the call during a sensitisation roadshow at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Abuja. He described MDAs as critical partners in national development, noting that their reach and influence could help correct misconceptions and ensure more families understand the opportunities available through the Federal Government’s student loan initiative.
Sawyerr said the engagement was designed to deepen understanding of the Fund’s mandate, operations and application process, while encouraging civil servants to share accurate information with their children and dependants.
Also, the Director of SERVICOM, Olusola Fowobaje, added that the scheme provides interest-free loans to eligible students in public tertiary institutions, covering institutional fees and upkeep allowances. He said the campaign had also become necessary because some parents remain unaware that their children have accessed the facility, while others continue paying school fees already covered by the loan.
NELFUND disclosed that the more than ₦375 billion disbursed comprises over ₦194 billion for institutional fees and more than ₦180 billion in upkeep allowances.
Staff of the ministry were also briefed on the application portal, disbursement process and repayment arrangements.
The Permanent Secretary, Olubumi Olusanya, represented by the Assistant Director of Training and Staff Welfare, Eweje Ololade Modukpe, described the engagement as an eye-opener and urged staff to become advocates of the scheme.
”Some say it is real, some say it is political propaganda, but here they are today. That is to tell us that it is real, and that the office is existing, and the programme is real,” she said.
According to her, there was initial skepticism about granting the request, since the staff are not students.
”I remember, when the letter came, I was thinking within myself, we are not students. How does this affect us? So when I put a call through, it was explained, they are aware that we are not students, but we have children. We are all mothers, we are all fathers, and we are parents.
”Even if we don’t have one, we have people under us that we are training in school. So with that, we can even know how we can key in, and even if our children are already enjoying it, how do we even know? So these are some of the issues that were unraveled here today,” she said.
She urged all staff of the ministry to become advocates of NELFUND going forward
