NELFund Disburses ₦20 Billion in Student Loans: Northern Universities Lead Beneficiaries

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has disbursed over ₦20 billion in loans to support 192,906 students in public tertiary institutions across the country. This latest disbursement highlights a strong focus on northern universities, which emerged as the primary recipients.

Bayero University, Kano, topped the list with 11,683 students approved to receive ₦1.3 billion, followed closely by the University of Maiduguri, where 12,198 students will share ₦1.27 billion. Other significant beneficiaries include the University of Jos, with ₦941 million allocated to 6,988 students, and the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, which will distribute ₦909 million among 8,978 students.

In stark contrast, some institutions received considerably smaller allocations. Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga, had just four students approved for a total of ₦122,000, while Abia State Polytechnic had only two students set to receive ₦106,300.

Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director of NELFund, highlighted that the organization had disbursed ₦110 billion to students nationwide in 2024. This initiative aims to reduce financial barriers to education and enhance access to higher learning across Nigeria.

The significant focus on northern universities underscores the pressing demand for educational funding in the region and reaffirms the government's commitment to bridging educational gaps nationwide. As NELFund continues its efforts, the program is expected to expand its reach, fostering greater educational opportunities and equity across the country.