On April 3, 2024, President Bola Tinubu enacted the Students Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, aimed at ensuring sustainable funding for higher education for Nigerian students.
Since the launch of the Fund, numerous students across various tertiary institutions have benefited. As of February 3, 2025, NELFUND reported receiving 364,042 applications for student loans and has disbursed N20,074,050,000 for institutional fees, aiding 192,906 students.
Additionally, N12,818,960,000 was allocated to 169,114 students, with each receiving a monthly stipend of N20,000 for living expenses.
However, following NELFUND’s verified updates on X this week, students from multiple institutions—including the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University Lokoja, and Ladoke Akintola University, among others in Northern Nigeria—voiced their frustration over the lack of disbursement of their approved loans.
Many students noted that their school portals would soon close, with examinations looming on the horizon.
On Saturday, Musty Jr (@JrMusty58254) wrote, “I am a University of Maiduguri student. I applied and was verified since August, yet I have received nothing from this initiative. Please, do something for us before next Wednesday. I am in serious financial crisis!”
Similarly, Orji Oyidiya Chukwu (@OyidiyaOrji) raised concerns on Sunday, tweeting, “@NELFUND, my brother hasn’t received either the upkeep money or the institutional fees, and his school (UNIZIK) is closing its portal on Friday, February 14. Please, help!”
By Monday, more students voiced their grievances. Stephen Ayobami from the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi, wrote, “@NELFUND, please remember us. We applied since May last year and have been verified, but there’s been no approval or disbursement.
“Many students are stranded—our school portal is closing this week, and exams start on the 10th of next month!”
At Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano, the Students’ Union Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Nura, issued a circular on Tuesday, saying that failure to pay tuition fees before the deadline could cause severe issues for students.
Following up on the non-disbursement, a confirmation was received from Abba Yusuf of the same institution, “Why haven’t you disbursed funds for Aliko Dangote University students? Both upkeep and institutional fees remain unpaid. We have been verified since August 2024, yet not a single payment has been made!”
Similarly, Bryan (@Chime69.23h), a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, stated, “I have been verified since June 2024, yet I haven’t received any disbursement—neither institutional fees nor upkeep. My school has started a new academic session, and I have to pay my fees!”
Some Polytechnic students also raised concerns. Oladiran Kayode pointed out that several students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, had yet to receive both their institutional and upkeep loans.
Concurrent with the commencement of examinations, Mr. Kolapo James Ayomi (@kolapojames01) of LAUTECH reported an inability to course registration due to outstanding tuition fees.
In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, a NELFUND representative, requesting anonymity due to authorization constraints, attributed the tuition disbursement delays to institutional procedures.
The representative stated that the delays are typically not attributable to NELFUND; following approval, student data is returned to the respective institutions for verification.
“The schools are then required to confirm the validity of the students and the tuition fees before we proceed. However, many institutions fail to respond promptly. We have to keep sending emails and reminders.”