Students from 23 public universities and polytechnics have expressed frustration over delays in receiving their student loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
With tuition deadlines and examinations approaching, many fear they may not be able to register or sit for their exams.
President Bola Tinubu signed the Students Loan Act into law on April 3, 2024, to help students in higher education. Since then, many students have received financial support.
As of February 3, 2025, NELFUND reported that it had received 364,042 student loan applications and had disbursed N20 billion for institutional fees, benefiting nearly 193,000 students.
Another N12.8 billion was allocated for upkeep, giving each student a N20,000 monthly stipend.
Despite these figures, several students have taken to social media to complain about not receiving their approved loans.
A University of Maiduguri student, Musty Jr, wrote, “I applied and was verified since August, yet I have received nothing. Please do something before next Wednesday. I am in a serious financial crisis!”
Similarly, Orji Oyidiya Chukwu raised concerns about his brother’s situation, saying, “He 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!”
Stephen Ayobami from the Federal University, Lokoja, also expressed frustration. “We applied since May last year and have been verified, but there’s been no approval or disbursement. 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, warned that students could face serious problems if they failed to pay tuition fees on time.
Abba Yusuf, another student from the university, added, “We have been verified since August 2024, yet not a single payment has been made!”
Bryan, a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, also lamented, “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!”
Students from polytechnics have also reported similar issues. Oladiran Kayode mentioned that several students from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, were yet to receive both their institutional and upkeep loans.
Kolapo James Ayomi from LAUTECH added, “Tests and exams have begun, yet without paying our tuition fees, we can’t register our courses!”
A NELFUND official, who did not want to be named, told *Saturday PUNCH* that the delays were not entirely the agency’s fault.
“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 official said.
“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.”
As exams draw closer, students are urging NELFUND and their schools to resolve the issue quickly to prevent disruptions in their education.
