NELFUND Addresses Delays in Student Loan Disbursements to Southeastern Institutions

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has responded to concerns raised over the apparent exclusion of higher education institutions in Nigeria’s South East region from recent student loan disbursements. The fund clarified that the delay in releasing funds to these institutions is not related to geopolitical factors but rather due to procedural issues on the part of the institutions themselves.

In a statement posted on their official X account (formerly Twitter), NELFUND emphasized that all regions in the country are treated equally in the disbursement process. “Geopolitical region is not a factor in the payment process,” the statement read. NELFUND explained that each institution eligible for the loan program must complete a verification process to receive payments. Unfortunately, several institutions in the South East, including Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have not yet completed the necessary accreditation steps.

The delay has sparked frustration among students and social media users, with many expressing concern that students from these universities are being unfairly deprived of financial aid. A user named Santiago Leo voiced these frustrations, stating, “There are no funds allocated for students from UNIZIK, FUTO, MOUAU, even the University of Nigeria (UNN). I am sure there are many students from these schools that require funding like other Nigerian students.”

In response, NELFUND urged the affected institutions to expedite their accreditation processes to ensure their students can benefit from the loan program as soon as possible. The fund’s statement aimed to reassure the public that the delays are being addressed and that students across all regions, including the South East, will have access to the financial support they need.