Students do not need connections to apply for loans so long as they are eligible, says NELFUND boss
By Idris Umar Zaria
Students do not need any connection to apply for loans under the Nigerian students loan scheme as long as they are eligible, according to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyer.
Speaking at a sensitisation on student loan scheme at Ahmadu Bello University today (Tuesday, 5th August, 2025), Sawyer explained that what they needed was to have an access institution and a JAMB registration number.
In his presentation, 'Understanding the NELFUND Student Loan Scheme: Access, Application and Support', Sawyer said the loan was completely interest free.
He further explained that one would start paying back if he or she got a job two years after completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
"If one applies and dies eventually, the loan is forgiven; and if one does not get a job five years after completion of NYSC, the loan is also forgiven.
"If the loanee gets a job two years after NYSC, NELFUND will ask his or her employer to be deducting 10 percent of his or her salary and be remitting to it," he said.
The NELFUND boss also said in the event where the loanee lost his or her job before he or she finished paying, the payment stopped until he or she secured another job.
Sawyer enjoined Nigerian students to give NELFUND all the necessary support, saying that even if they did not apply, they should register as circumstances could change.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the scheme for Nigerian students.
Mr. Sawyer described the President as a strategic advocate of education and a lover of the youth, which was why he ensured that nobody was left out in tertiary education by establishing NELFUND.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, described the policy as one that would be impactful on tertiary education in Nigeria.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, the Vice-Chancellor also said the university would not take the scheme lightly.
He said the university shared the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in making sure that nobody was left out in tertiary education.
Prof Ahmed appreciated the NELFUND Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyer, for coming to sensitise and enlighten students of Ahmadu Bello University on NELFUND and the need for them to apply.
The sensitization was attended by the Dean, Student Affairs Division, Prof Sahalu B Junaidu; and representative of the Registrar; Hajiya Basira Raji.
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs Division, Female, Prof Hadiza Tukur; and Ag. Staff Officer of the Division, Malam Jamilu Wada, were also in attendance
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