The National Assembly has joined forces with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to significantly expand the student loan programme, with plans to increase the number of beneficiaries from the current 1.6 million to about seven million students across the country.
NELFUND Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, revealed that more than ₦282 billion has already been disbursed under the scheme, which is expected to play a greater role in improving access to higher education, vocational training, technical education, and skills development programmes.
Speaking during a nationwide awareness campaign on the student loan initiative organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund alongside NELFUND, Sawyerr said the programme has already made a substantial impact on students and their families.
According to him, the 1.6 million students who have benefited directly from the scheme represent millions more Nigerians who have been positively affected through family support and improved educational opportunities.
He explained that expanding the programme to reach as many as seven million students in tertiary institutions and vocational centres would help accelerate national development and create opportunities for a larger segment of the population.
Sawyerr further noted that the long-term vision of the initiative extends beyond student loans and could eventually benefit up to 50 million Nigerians through broader educational and economic empowerment programmes.
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, described the awareness campaign as an important step toward ensuring that more eligible students are informed about the opportunities available through the scheme.
He stressed that increasing public awareness is crucial to the programme’s success and advocated for similar sensitisation efforts across all six geopolitical zones to boost participation and accessibility.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships and Tertiary Education Financing, Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, praised the progress made so far, noting that the initiative has already provided financial support to more than 1.5 million students nationwide.
He expressed confidence that continued public engagement and awareness would encourage more qualified students to apply and benefit from the programme.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, said the sensitisation programme reflects the National Assembly’s commitment to promoting equal access to education and ensuring that students across the country take advantage of available funding opportunities.
He added that the partnership between the legislature and NELFUND is designed to strengthen awareness, improve participation, and expand educational access for Nigerian students.
