Ogasabi on 9am news reports that the Federal Government has successfully paid the tuition fees of 20,000 students directly to their respective institutions through the ongoing Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme. This significant milestone, which is part of President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector, underscores the government’s commitment to improving access to higher education for low-income Nigerians. According to NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyer, the payments were made to six universities, including the University of Ibadan, University of Benin, University of Maiduguri, University of Ilorin, and Bayero University, Kano.
Implementation Of The Scheme
The implementation of this student loan scheme began when President Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which provides a legal framework for granting interest-free loans to financially challenged Nigerians to help them pay their tuition fees in tertiary institutions across the country. As of August 22, 2024, over 280,000 students have registered for the scheme, with approximately 256,000 having completed the application process, as revealed by Sawyer during a summit and sensitization program organized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Rivers State.
However, Sawyer noted that some delays in approving loan requests have been due to errors made by students during the registration process. Incorrect document submissions and false information prolong the verification process, as the agency is dedicated to ensuring that only eligible students benefit from the scheme. The summit, attended by key stakeholders including Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s representative, Commissioner for Youth Development, Chisom Gbali, and NANS leaders, aimed to educate students on the loan scheme and gather their feedback.
State Funded
In addition, Breaking news on 9am news Nigeria reports that the fund has recently cleared an additional 22 state-owned tertiary institutions to apply for student loans, bringing the total number of approved state institutions to 108. This move reflects the government’s continued effort to make higher education accessible to more Nigerian students.
The onboarding of the 22 state-owned institutions brings total number of approved state institutions to 108.
The Newly Cleared Institutions Are:
1. Abia State University, Uturu
2. College of Education, Nsugbe
3. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
4. Delta State University, Abraka.
5. Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Delta State
6. Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti
7. Kogi State University, Kabba, Kogi State
8. Prince Abubakar Audu University
9. Kwara State University
10. Kwara State College of Health Technology
11. Abdulkadir Kure University Minna
12. Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu
13. Moshod Abiola Polytechnic
14. Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo
15. The Polytechnic, Ibadan
16. The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki
17. Rivers State University, Port Harcourt
18. Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic
19. Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu
20. College of Administration, Management andTechnology Potiskum, Yobe State 21. College of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Gujba
22. College of Education Legal Studies, Nguru
Previously Cleared Institutions Are:
1. Abia State Polytechnic
2. Adamawa State University Mubi
3. Adamawa State Polytechnic Yola
4. College of Education Afaha Nsit
5. Akwa Ibom State University
6. Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic
7. Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare
8. Niger Delta University
9. Benue State University, Makurdi
10. Borno State University
11. College of Education, Waka-Biu
12. Mohammed Lawan College Of Agriculture
13. Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri
14. Cross River State University
15. Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku
16. Delta State University of Science and Technology
17. Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba 18.
University of Delta Agbor
19. Ebonyi State University, AbakalikI
20. Edo State University Uzairue.
21. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti
22. Bamidele Olumilua University of Edu., Sc., and Tech
23. University of Medical and Applied Sciences Enugu State
24. Gombe State University
25. Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo
26. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University
27. Benjamin Uwajumogu State College of Education IhitteUboma
28. Imo State Polytechnic Omuma
29. Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa, Jigawa State
30. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria
31. Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya
32. Kaduna State University
33. Aliko Dangote University of science and Technology wudil
34. Yusuf Maitama Sule University
35. Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management
36. Umar Musa Yaradua University Katsina
37. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero
38. Confluence University of Science and Technology
39. Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba
40. Kwara Polytechnic
41. Kwara State College of Education Oro
42. Lagos state university of education
43. Lagos State University of Science and Technology
44. Lagos State University
45. Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia
46. Nasarawa State University Keffi
47. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Uniersity Lapai
48. Niger State Polytechnic Zungeru
49. Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic
50. Olabisi Onabanjo University
51. Tai Solarin University of Education
52. Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa
53. D.S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic Itori-Ewekoro.
54. Gateway ICT Polytechnic Saapade
55. University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
56. Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
57. Government Technical College Ile-Ife 58. GTC, ARA Osun State
59. GTC, GBONGAN Osun State
60. GTC, IJEBU-JESA Osun State
Ogasabi on 9am news will continue to provide updates on the progress of the NELFUND scheme and other educational initiatives. The NANS National Secretariat, in collaboration with NELFUND, remains committed to sensitizing students across higher institutions in Rivers State and beyond, encouraging more students to take advantage of this opportunity to excel in their academic pursuits. Stay tuned to 9am news Nigeria for the latest developments in education and other breaking news.
