NASS and NELFUND Advocate Expanding Student Loan Eligibility to 7 Million

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — The National Assembly (NASS) is working with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to increase the reach of the student loan programme from 1.6 million to 7 million beneficiaries, a move aimed at broadening access to tertiary education and fostering national development.

During a one‑day national sensitisation event on Monday in Abuja, Senate Deputy President Barau Jibrin highlighted the initiative’s timeliness, noting that many low‑income students remain unaware of how to apply for the scheme.

Jibrin underscored the need for nationwide awareness, urging that the programme be rolled out across all six geopolitical zones to maximise its impact.

“No matter how beneficial a programme is, if the intended beneficiaries are not adequately informed about it, its impact will be limited,” he said.

The event was organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund in partnership with NELFUND.

NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr reported that the scheme has so far disbursed about N282 billion, directly aiding 1.6 million students nationwide.

Sawyerr added that, when indirect beneficiaries are considered, the intervention has reached nearly 10 million people, based on an average household size of five.

He explained that the long‑term objective is to broaden coverage to roughly 7 million beneficiaries, including students in tertiary institutions and participants in vocational and skills‑acquisition programmes.

According to Sawyerr, expanding the scheme would reinforce technical and vocational education as part of wider efforts to enhance employability and national progress.

House Committee Chairman on Student Loans, Scholarships and Tertiary Education Financing Ifeoluwa Eyindero also praised the sensitisation programme, calling it timely and essential for deepening public understanding of the scheme’s opportunities.

Eyindero noted that the fund has already made significant strides in supporting Nigerian students through financial assistance.

Earlier, Senate Committee on TETFund Chairman Muntari Dandutse said the programme reflected the National Assembly’s oversight role and its commitment to ensuring equitable access to education for all Nigerians.

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