The Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) in Ebonyi State has confirmed the receipt of ₦193 million from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to cover the fees of 1,068 students. This was announced by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom, in a letter addressed to NELFUND's Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr. The letter, referenced AEFUNAI/OVC/03/103/VOL1 and dated September 18, 2024, acknowledged the first installment of the ₦193,377,100.00 student loan, which was disbursed on September 9, 2024, as part of the Student Loan Programme.
According to The Guardian, this interest-free student loan scheme, which began on May 24, 2024, aims to support approximately 1.2 million students. So far, over ₦5.09 billion has been distributed as institutional fees to 45,440 students from 59 federal and state institutions nationwide.
Institutions that have received funds include Abia State University (₦12.5 million), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Imo State (₦71 million), Ebonyi State University (₦78 million), University of Ibadan (₦201 million), Delta State University, Abraka (₦46 million), Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State (₦218 million), Bauchi State University (₦12.7 million), Yaba College of Technology, Lagos (₦733 million), and Niger State Polytechnic (₦4.5 million), among others.
NELFUND, in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has been conducting sensitization visits to tertiary institutions across the country, with NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr emphasizing the program's role in helping students overcome financial obstacles to education. Sawyerr also encouraged students to apply, addressing concerns about a lack of understanding of the scheme and ensuring nationwide coverage.
