Despite the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in April 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, many students in Kogi State are struggling to access the loan scheme. Students at Federal University Lokoja (FUL) revealed that their applications have been pending for months, while others cited difficulties with the registration process. When contacted, FUL authorities confirmed that the institution has not yet received any NELFUND disbursements for its students. “The accountant said he is not aware of any such disbursement yet. No such payment has been received in FUL,” the university’s public relations officer stated.
However, the Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba, Prof. Kehinde Eniola, disclosed that 750 students from the institution have benefited from the program. The breakdown of beneficiaries includes 101 students in August 2024, 326 in September 2024, 247 in November 2024, and 76 in January 2025. The VC expressed optimism that more students would gain access to the loan scheme.
Additionally, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, confirmed receiving ₦13,615,750 from NELFUND to cover the school fees of 127 students. NELFUND was created to provide interest-free loans to Nigerian students for higher education, vocational training, and skills acquisition. The repayment process begins two years after completing the NYSC program, making it a revolving fund for continuous student support.
However, many students and parents remain frustrated with the accessibility of the scheme. Isah Haruna, a parent whose two children attend FUL, urged the government to simplify the process. “With all the noise about NELFUND, not many students in Kogi State have been able to access it. My children applied at the start of the program, and their applications are still pending. The process should be made easier,” he said.
The challenges faced by students in Kogi highlight the need for improved transparency, streamlined procedures, and more efficient disbursement mechanisms to ensure NELFUND fulfills its mission of supporting education accessibility in Nigeria.
