By Ali Elias
NELFUND calls for greater participation from southern regions, dispels transparency concerns, and highlights ₦170bn in available support.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has urged students from the South-East and South-South regions to take full advantage of its student loan programme, emphasizing that access is open to all qualified Nigerians. Addressing concerns about regional disparities, NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr clarified in an interview that “you can’t get it if you don’t apply,” stressing that the scheme is driven by applications, not allocations. With over ₦170 billion already requested by more than half a million applicants, the agency is calling for increased awareness and participation from the southern regions.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has called on students and institutions in the South-East and South-South regions to take full advantage of the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, stressing that access to the fund depends solely on application.
Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, made the call during a stakeholders’ engagement session and technical workshop on system automation and loan application held in Abuja on Monday.
The workshop, which began with representatives from universities, will continue through the week with polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education.
Mr. Sawyerr addressed mounting concerns over regional disparities in loan disbursement, particularly from the South-East and South-South. In an interview on NTA’s *Good Morning Nigeria*, he clarified: “It is a loan, and you have to apply to get it. You can’t get it if you don’t apply, and we cannot force anybody to apply.”
According to him, the apparent disparity in uptake from regions like the North is due not to favouritism but to the willingness of students in those areas to apply, compared to low engagement from the South.
“The apathy we’re seeing in some areas may stem from longstanding suspicions about fairness and transparency in some government programmes before, but not this,” he stated.
“This fund is designed to serve all Nigerians. The process is digital, transparent, and equal for all applicants.”
The call comes amid concerns that students from the South-East and South-South may be missing out due to mistrust or lack of awareness. NELFUND’s Executive Director of Operations, Mr. Iyal Mustapha, disclosed that over 576,000 students have registered so far, with applications valued at over ₦170 billion. He urged institutions in these regions to “intensify sensitisation efforts” to ensure their students benefit as well.
In a related presentation, Ifeoluwa Ehindero, Chair of the House Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships and Higher Education Financing, stressed the importance of a streamlined, tech-driven loan process.
“This workshop is not just a platform for training but also an opportunity for collaboration,” she said.
“We need your active participation to ensure the system works for every Nigerian student, regardless of region.”
Sawyerr also addressed recent complaints from students who said they had graduated before receiving disbursement.
“If someone applies in their final year, and we verify their details and pay tuition, they still have a duty to attend school. But we will never rush disbursement without due process. We’re handling public funds, and we must be thorough,” he explained.
The student loan scheme, launched by the Federal Government to improve access to tertiary education, is structured to be transparent and student-friendly, with plans to automate every stage — from application to disbursement.
As Sawyerr concluded, advising: “This opportunity is open to all Nigerian students. Don’t miss out because of doubt or delay. Apply now.”