NELFUND Disburses N322bn to Support 1.6 Million Students

During the National Sensitisation Programme on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in Uyo, Managing Director/CEO Akintunde Sawyer, represented by Dr Zino Ugboma, announced that NELFUND has disbursed N322 billion to 1.6 million students across 319 tertiary institutions since its inception. In Akwa Ibom State, 24,283 applicants have sought assistance, with 23,473 receiving benefits totaling N2.1 billion.

Sawyer emphasized the importance of the loan in removing financial barriers for qualified students. Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, represented by Commissioner for Education Prof Ubong Umoh, highlighted the state’s ARISE agenda, which has allocated N1.3 billion for student bursaries, increasing support from N20,000 to N50,000 per student.

Additionally, the state government has expanded educational infrastructure and programs, increasing tertiary programs from 43 to 84. Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Christopher Ekong, expressed gratitude for the NELFUND initiative, anticipating its positive impact on students.