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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is exploring the possibility of extending its financial assistance programme to students in private tertiary institutions within the next three years, according to its Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement session in Enugu, Sawyerr revealed that the current focus remains on meeting the immediate needs of students in public universities and colleges, who often lack alternatives and face the risk of dropping out due to financial constraints.
He explained, “We’re just one year into this journey. Our priority is to stabilise support for students in public institutions.
“Once we’ve achieved measurable impact, possibly within two to three years, we’ll consider reviewing the policy to see how private institution students might be included.”
Sawyerr also noted that misinformation and technical hiccups have hindered the wider adoption of the loan scheme.
He stressed that many people mistake ordinary challenges for deliberate system flaws, but assured stakeholders that the agency is committed to transparency and inclusion.
“We’re here on the ground to assist both applicants and institutions. Our goal is to ensure people understand the process and benefit from it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chinyere Onyeisi, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Education Innovation, urged educational leaders to cascade the sensitisation programme to their respective schools.
She emphasised the urgency of leveraging the student loan scheme to improve access to education in the Southeast.
“This initiative is a vital part of the student support framework, and it’s important that students are guided on how to apply. Other states are already taking advantage of it, and ours should not be left behind,” Onyeisi stated.