Students from at least 23 public universities and polytechnics across Nigeria are expressing frustration over the delayed disbursement of their approved institutional loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
With tuition payment deadlines fast approaching and examinations around the corner, many are facing financial uncertainty.
President Bola Tinubu had signed the Students Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act into law on April 3, 2024, to ensure sustainable funding for students in higher institutions.
Since its launch, thousands of students have benefited. As of February 3, 2025, NELFUND confirmed receiving 364,042 applications and disbursing N20,074,050,000 in institutional fees, assisting 192,906 students.
Additionally, N12,818,960,000 was distributed as upkeep allowances, benefiting 169,114 students with a monthly stipend of N20,000 each.
However, despite these disbursements, several students from institutions such as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Obafemi Awolowo University; Federal University, Lokoja; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; and multiple universities in Northern Nigeria have raised concerns about not receiving their approved funds. Many took to social media to voice their distress over pending school fee payments.
A University of Maiduguri student, Musty Jr (@JrMusty58254), expressed his frustration on Saturday, writing, “I am a University of Maiduguri student. I applied and was verified since August, yet I have received nothing from this initiative. Please, do something for us before next Wednesday. I am in serious financial crisis!”
Similarly, Orji Oyidiya Chukwu (@OyidiyaOrji) tweeted on Sunday about his brother’s predicament, stating, “@NELFUND, my brother hasn’t received either the upkeep money or the institutional fees, and his school (UNIZIK) is closing its portal on Friday, February 14. Please, help!”
On Monday, more students voiced their concerns, including Stephen Ayobami from Federal University, Lokoja, who wrote, “@NELFUND, please remember us. We applied since May last year and have been verified, but there’s been no approval or disbursement. Many students are stranded—our school portal is closing this week, and exams start on the 10th of next month!”
At Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano, the Students’ Union Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Nura, issued a statement warning that failure to pay tuition fees before the deadline could create major difficulties for students.
Supporting this, Abba Yusuf from the same institution complained, “Why haven’t you disbursed funds for Aliko Dangote University students? Both upkeep and institutional fees remain unpaid. We have been verified since August 2024, yet not a single payment has been made!”
Students from other institutions also expressed frustration. A University of Nigeria, Nsukka student, Bryan (@Chime69.23h), shared his struggle, stating, “I have been verified since June 2024, yet I haven’t received any disbursement—neither institutional fees nor upkeep. My school has started a new academic session, and I have to pay my fees!”
Polytechnic students also reported similar issues. Oladiran Kayode highlighted that many students from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, had yet to receive their institutional and upkeep loans.
Meanwhile, Kolapo James Ayomi (@kolapojames01) from LAUTECH lamented, “Tests and exams have begun, yet without paying our tuition fees, we can’t register our courses!”
A NELFUND official, who spoke anonymously to The PUNCH, attributed the delays to institutions’ failure to promptly verify student information.
“Most times, these issues don’t originate from us. Once we approve the payments, we send the students’ data back to the schools for verification. The schools are then required to confirm the validity of the students and the tuition fees before we proceed. However, many institutions fail to respond promptly. We have to keep sending emails and reminders,” the official explained.
As students anxiously await their funds, the urgency of the situation continues to mount, with many at risk of missing exams and losing access to education due to financial constraints.
