NELFUND Is a Loan, Not a Grant: Why It Should Reach Students Who Truly Need It

NELFUND is a Federal Government student-loan programme designed to help tertiary students who genuinely cannot afford the cost of their education. It is a loan, not a grant or an empowerment scheme, and beneficiaries are expected to repay it after graduation. The high level of interest in the programme raises important questions. Do all applicants truly face financial hardship? Do they fully understand that taking the loan creates a future repayment obligation? Clear and continuous public orientation is needed so students understand the purpose, terms and long-term implications of the scheme. Students whose parents or guardians can reasonably meet their educational needs should consider leaving the opportunity for those who cannot. Exploiting a limited public fund may deny vulnerable students access to higher education and could undermine the programme's sustainability. NELFUND can make tertiary education more accessible if it is managed transparently and used responsibly. Nigerians should treat it as a shared public resource and protect it for students who genuinely need support.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.