NELFUND releases N1.5bn to three schools for 2025/26 session
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed a total of N1.5 billion to three institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session. NELFUND announced the payments on its verified X handle on Thursday, 9 July 2026, with the beneficiary schools confirming receipt and onward distribution to students. The allocations are: N1,360,920,800 to Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology in Ekiti State for 5,396 students; N104,530,000 to Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology in Omu-Ajose, Ogun State for 680 students; and N36,485,000 to the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences in Benin City for 53 students, covering a total of 6,129 beneficiaries. While the disbursement covers tuition, many beneficiaries have complained about delays in receiving the optional monthly upkeep allowance, which supports day-to-day expenses. Students expressed frustration over missing May and June payments, noting the impact on their ability to meet daily costs and participate in compulsory programmes like SIWES. NELFUND's Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, also announced plans to replace direct tuition payments with a digital token system aimed at reducing double payments, improving transparency and giving students more control over tuition timing. Students receiving loans should monitor their bank alerts for upkeep payments and stay informed about the upcoming token-based tuition system via NELFUND's official channels.