NELFUND Declares Student Loans Voluntary Amid College Mandate

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) issued a clarification stating that accessing student loans is voluntary, following a directive from the Enugu State College of Education (Technical). The college's internal memorandum, dated October 6, 2026, mandated all fresh and returning students in Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes to enroll for the loan, regardless of their financial situation.

NELFUND emphasized that the scheme is intended to assist students who genuinely need financial support, not to compel all students to borrow. The statement, signed by Director of Strategic Communications Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, reiterated that students who can afford their education are not obligated to apply for the loan.

The college's Acting Registrar, Patrick A. Aneke, issued the memo, which also instructed students to visit the college’s NELFUND Desk Officer, Dr Rufina Agu, for application procedures. NELFUND aims to remove financial barriers to education and promote equal access for eligible Nigerian students.