Nigerian Students Storm Loan Scheme: NELFUND Confirms Over 500,000 Applicants

The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed that in its first year of operation, over 500,000 Nigerian students applied for loans through its portal, underscoring the urgent demand for accessible education financing in the country.

This remarkable milestone was achieved within just 11 months, signaling how critical student financial support has become for many families.

According to NELFUND’s Managing Director/CEO, Akintunde Sawyerr, the figure goes beyond mere numbers—it reflects a renewed sense of hope for families across Nigeria.

“What we’re witnessing is a nationwide hunger for opportunities, and NELFUND is proud to be at the forefront of this transformational shift,” Sawyerr said.

He further emphasized that students from across the country have actively engaged with the application process, seeking assistance for both tuition and living expenses, highlighting the Fund’s relevance and timeliness.

Reiterating NELFUND’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and efficiency, Sawyerr encouraged all stakeholders to support the drive toward equitable education. He also urged students to reach out for guidance or further information.

In a related development, the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) has begun compiling a list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on their housing loan repayments.

This move is aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations during their service years.

The development was disclosed in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Ngozi Obiechina.

She quoted the Board’s Executive Secretary, Salamatu Ahmed, who stated that the action was in response to a recent circular from Patience Oyekunle, the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The memo reminded all public servants that securing a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness from both the FGSHLB and their respective MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Societies is a compulsory condition for retirement.