The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund has intensified efforts to boost enrolment in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme, with a renewed call on students in the South-West to take advantage of the Federal Government’s student loan initiative.
The call was made during the South-West Zonal Sensitisation Programme on NELFUND, hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Friday, June 26, 2026. The programme brought together federal lawmakers, education regulators, vice-chancellors, heads of tertiary institutions, student leaders, and other stakeholders from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States.
Organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund in collaboration with NELFUND, the engagement formed part of a nationwide sensitisation campaign to increase awareness of the student loan scheme, clarify eligibility and application procedures, dispel misconceptions, and encourage greater participation among eligible students.
Leading the Senate delegation, the Chairman of the Committee, Distinguished Senator Muntari Mohammed Dandutse, explained that the South-West was selected for the second phase of the campaign due to the region’s comparatively low uptake of the scheme.
Describing NELFUND as one of the Federal Government’s most significant educational interventions, Senator Dandutse said the initiative was established to eliminate financial barriers to tertiary education and ensure that no qualified Nigerian is denied access to higher education because of economic challenges.
According to him, “NELFUND is more than a student loan scheme; it is an investment in Nigeria’s future. Our responsibility is to ensure that every eligible student understands how the programme works and is empowered to take advantage of it. No talented Nigerian should abandon the dream of higher education because of lack of funds.”
Representing the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee and Senate Minority Leader, Distinguished Senator Abba Moro, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through sustainable financing.
The lawmaker from Plateau State noted that education remains one of the nation’s greatest investments, and that NELFUND provides Nigerian youths with a viable pathway to pursue higher education without financial hardship as an obstacle.
Welcoming participants, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, described the sensitisation programme as timely and strategic, particularly in addressing misconceptions surrounding the student loan scheme.
She noted that while awareness had improved, many prospective beneficiaries in the South-West remained hesitant due to inaccurate perceptions about loan repayment.
Professor Ogunsola commended the Senate Committee for taking the exercise directly to institutions across the country. She added that UNILAG has sustained campus-wide awareness campaigns and recorded encouraging participation by eligible students.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, assured prospective applicants of the Fund’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and efficient service delivery.
He stated that “the application process is simple, technology-driven, and designed to ensure that every eligible Nigerian student can access higher education without financial constraints.”
The event also featured a panel discussion during which participants emphasised the need for sustained advocacy, stronger institutional partnerships, and grassroots sensitisation to improve public understanding of the scheme and increase enrolment nationwide.
Other dignitaries present included leadership of the National Universities Commission (NUC), vice-chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions, government officials, student representatives, and members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, including Distinguished Senator Afolabi Salisu, an alumnus of UNILAG representing Ogun State.
The South-West engagement was the second in the nationwide campaign, following the North-Central edition. It reinforced the Senate Committee’s resolve to extend the awareness drive to all six geopolitical zones to ensure eligible Nigerian students understand and benefit from NELFUND.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Samuel Dosunmu
