Chidimma Uchegbu
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has commended the management of Delta State University, Abraka, for adopting a student-friendly approach in implementing the federal government’s education loan scheme.
NELFUND, in a statement issued by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, praised the university for permitting students whose loan applications have been verified or disbursed under the scheme to participate in the first semester 2025/2026 examinations.
The directive, conveyed through an internal memorandum from the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, allows students whose status on the NELFUND platform reads “Verified” or “Disbursed” to sit for their examinations upon presenting evidence of their application status.
Reacting to the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, described the move as a positive example of institutional collaboration aimed at supporting Nigerian students.
“We warmly welcome this student-centred approach by Delta State University. It demonstrates a clear understanding of the objective of the NELFUND scheme, which is to ensure that no Nigerian student is denied access to education due to financial constraints,” he said.
Sawyerr added that the decision reflects practical steps by institutions to support students who have successfully completed the loan application process, enabling them to continue their academic activities without disruption.
According to him, such initiatives reinforce the broader goals of the NELFUND programme—expanding access to higher education while promoting fairness and inclusiveness across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
NELFUND also encouraged other universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to adopt similar measures that prioritise students’ academic progress while the loan process continues to provide financial support for tuition and upkeep.
The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with tertiary institutions nationwide to ensure the smooth implementation of the student loan programme and to protect the educational aspirations of Nigerian students.
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