Education
NELFUND Disburses N161.97bn to 864,798 Students in 500 Days
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed N161.97 billion to 864,798 students nationwide since the inauguration of its student loan portal on July 17, 2024, as part of efforts to expand access to tertiary education.
The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, while briefing journalists on the progress, impact and challenges of the scheme under the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, said it was established to ensure that no Nigerian student was denied education because of financial constraints.
According to him, the fund has so far received 1,361,011 loan applications from students across the country.
He explained that out of the N161.97 billion disbursed, N89.94 billion was paid directly to 263 tertiary institutions to cover tuition and institutional charges, while N72.03 billion was paid to students as upkeep allowances.
“As at today, 1,361,011 applications have been received, 864,798 students have so far benefited from the loan scheme, and total disbursement stands at N161.97 billion.
“These includes N89.94 billion paid directly to 263 tertiary institutions for tuition and institutional fees, and N72.03 billion paid directly to students as upkeep allowances,” he said.
He noted that the figures represented tangible impact on students and families, describing them as evidence of barriers being removed and opportunities being created.
The NELFUND boss said the agency, had over the last year, embarked on extensive sensitisation across tertiary institutions to improve awareness and access to the scheme.
He added that the focus would now expand to parents, guardians, traditional rulers and faith-based institutions.
He said this new approach was to deepen public understanding and trust in the scheme.
“Over the last year, NELFUND has undertaken extensive sensitisation and engagement across tertiary institutions nationwide.
“We have worked directly with students, school authorities, and stakeholders to drive awareness, understanding, and access to the scheme.
“However, as we move into this new phase, we recognise that deepening impact requires broader engagement.
“So this year, our focus will expand to another very important group within the NELFUND ecosystem,” he said.
On upkeep payments, the managing director disclosed that a reconciliation exercise carried out after the 2024/2025 academic session revealed that 11,685 students had outstanding upkeep payments amounting to N927.98 million.
He clarified that the outstanding payments were not due to withheld funds or policy failure, but resulted from technical and operational issues.
He said such issues include network downtime, failed transactions and unvalidated bank account details.
He also said that the NELFUND management had approved a one-time reconciliation process to resolve the cases, including direct engagement with affected students.
He further said that a grace period for updating bank details, multi-layer validation and prompt payment upon verification had also been approved.
Responding to questions on sustainability, Mr Sawyerr said that the amended student loan law removal of guarantor requirements, inclusion of upkeep allowances and the ability to raise and invest funds were key elements supporting long-term sustainability.
He added that NELFUND was also exploring partnerships with philanthropists, corporate organisations and government agencies, citing a N20 billion collaboration with the Ministry of Education on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as an example.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Operations, NELFUND, Mr Mustapha Iyal, said that outstanding upkeep represented about 11,000 out of more than 400,000 beneficiaries in the 2024/2025 session.
Mr Iyal said NELFUND had contacted institutions to validate student data, noting that many of the issues arose from incorrect information supplied by applicants.
According to him, feedback has been received from over 100 institutions, and payment of the outstanding upkeep allowances is expected to commence shortly.
He also disclosed that applications for the 2025/2026 academic session began in November, 2025, with over 200 institutions submitting updated data.
He said about 280,000 applications had been received from those institutions, out of which loans had already been disbursed to more than 150,000 students.
He added that upkeep payments for the new session would begin in January, explaining that upkeep allowances were tied to active academic sessions and required fresh applications each session.
On loan repayment, Mr Iyal said repayment had already commenced, with some beneficiaries who had graduated and secured employment beginning to repay their loans.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Teachers in Oyo State have been directed to resume work from Thursday, July 2, 2026, by the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
Public school teachers earlier withdrew their services in the state following the abduction of their colleagues and pupils in the Oriire local government area of Oyo State by some terrorists almost two months ago.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, signed by the union’s scribe in Oyo State, Mr Olukayode Salami, it was disclosed that the industrial action by the teachers was suspended after “renewed engagements with the state government and assurances over measures to improve security after the abduction of teachers and learners in Oriire Local Government Area.”
In the statement also signed by its Oyo State Chairman, Mr Hassan Ajibola Fatai, the group announced that the suspension followed a directive from its national leadership after reviewing the prevailing security situation and considering appeals by the Oyo State Government and other key stakeholders.
It directed all public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to resume official duties from Thursday, July 2, 2026, bringing an end to the industrial action that was declared in response to the kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the decision was taken in the collective interest of teachers, learners and the general public after the government assured the union that sustained efforts were underway to secure the safe release of the abducted victims and strengthen security around schools and surrounding communities.
The association further disclosed that the government had made several commitments aimed at preventing future attacks, including intensified rescue efforts for the abducted teachers and learners, the establishment of a well-equipped Joint Security Task Force to patrol vulnerable schools and access routes, continuous engagement with affected families, psychosocial support and rehabilitation for rescued victims, and payment of gratuities and other entitlements to the families of deceased teachers.
Other commitments include strengthening the Safe School Initiative through public sensitisation and early warning systems, improving emergency response mechanisms, addressing criminal hideouts, upgrading school infrastructure, tackling illegal mining and open grazing in forest reserves, enhancing community intelligence gathering, ensuring speedy prosecution of criminal suspects, improving the welfare of security personnel, and deploying technology to bolster school security.
Oyo NUT commended its members, as well as the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), for their discipline, solidarity and compliance throughout the period of the industrial action, describing their support as instrumental in advancing the welfare and security of teachers and learners.
While directing members to return to the classrooms, the union urged teachers to remain vigilant, obey the law and promptly report any security threats within their schools and communities to the appropriate authorities.
The NUT reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare and security of teachers, stressing that it would continue engaging the government until all outstanding concerns regarding the safety of teachers and students are fully addressed.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian food and beverage company, Rite Foods Limited, has partnered with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reward seven exceptional Nigerian undergraduates with a total of N35 million in recognition of their outstanding academic performance during the 2025 admission exercise.
The seven beneficiaries, who emerged through a transparent and merit-based selection process coordinated by JAMB, will each receive N5 million at the maiden edition of the Academic Excellence Recognition Award Ceremony, scheduled to hold on Tuesday, June 30, in Lagos.
Announcing the initiative, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Mr Fabian Benjamin, said the award celebrates students who distinguished themselves through exceptional performance in both the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and their respective Post-UTME or institutional screening exercises.
“The seven beneficiaries will each receive N5 million in recognition of their exceptional academic performance. This partnership with Rite Foods reflects our shared commitment to rewarding merit, promoting academic excellence, and inspiring young Nigerians to pursue excellence in their educational journey,” Mr Benjamin said.
Speaking on the partnership, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods Limited, Mr Ekuma Eze, said the company remains committed to investing in initiatives that recognise excellence and empower the next generation of leaders.
“At Rite Foods, we believe excellence should be celebrated and encouraged. Through this partnership with JAMB, we are proud to reward these exceptional students and reinforce the message that hard work, discipline, and excellence will always be recognised. Beyond producing quality brands, we are committed to creating opportunities that inspire young Nigerians to achieve their full potential,” he said.
The award recipients represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while the seventh award will be presented to the highest-performing admitted candidate living with a disability, reflecting the initiative’s commitment to merit, inclusion, and national development.
The ceremony is expected to bring together the Minister of Education, the outgoing JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, vice-chancellors, heads of regulatory agencies, education stakeholders, corporate leaders, students, and members of the media.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna, in honour of the late statesman, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, in a move aimed at preserving his legacy while strengthening Nigeria’s specialised energy education framework.
The PTDF announced that, following a presidential directive, the institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
In a statement, the Fund said the renaming reflects the federal government’s recognition of Yar’Adua’s contributions to national unity and Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
The late statesman, who died in 1997, was a prominent Nigerian soldier, politician, and businessman. He served as the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military administration from 1977 to 1979. He was the elder brother of former Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“This historic renaming honours the enduring legacy of the late statesman, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, celebrating his profound contributions to national unity and the democratic journey of Nigeria,” the PTDF stated.
The institution, established to develop high-level manpower and technical expertise for Nigeria’s petroleum and energy industries, is expected to continue its academic and research activities without disruption despite the name change.
According to the PTDF, the university will maintain its focus on delivering advanced education, research and technology-driven solutions for the country’s oil, gas and emerging renewable energy sectors.
“The institution remains firmly committed to its mandate of delivering world-class research, specialised training, and cutting-edge engineering technology solutions to power Nigeria’s oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors,” the statement added.
The Fund further assured students, academic partners, industry stakeholders and development institutions that all existing programmes, collaborations and operational activities would continue seamlessly under the university’s new identity.
“All ongoing academic programs, partnerships, and operations continue uninterrupted under this new institutional identity,” PTDF said.
The renaming comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to build local capacity and technical expertise to support energy transition goals, deepen indigenous participation in the petroleum industry and strengthen research-driven innovation across the energy value chain.
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