By Felix Khanoba
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has praised the management of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, for what it described as a student-friendly approach in the implementation of the Federal Government’s education loan scheme.
In a statement issued by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the Fund applauded the university for allowing students whose applications under the scheme have been verified or already disbursed to take part in the first semester 2025/2026 examinations.
According to NELFUND, the decision was communicated through an internal memorandum from the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). The memo permits students whose status on the NELFUND platform shows “Verified” or “Disbursed” to participate in the examinations once they present evidence confirming their application status.
Commenting on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, described the move as a strong demonstration of collaboration between institutions and the Fund in support of Nigerian students.
“We warmly welcome this student-centred approach by Delta State University. It demonstrates a clear understanding of the objective of the NELFUND scheme, which is to ensure that no Nigerian student is denied access to education due to financial constraints,” he said.
Sawyerr noted that the university’s decision represents a practical intervention that allows students who have successfully completed the loan application process to proceed with their academic activities without interruption.
He added that initiatives of this nature align with the broader goals of the NELFUND programme, which seek to widen access to higher education while ensuring fairness and inclusiveness across tertiary institutions in the country.
NELFUND also urged other universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to consider similar arrangements that prioritise students’ academic progress while the loan scheme continues to provide financial support for tuition and upkeep.
The Fund reiterated its commitment to collaborating with tertiary institutions across the country to ensure effective implementation of the student loan programme and safeguard the educational aspirations of Nigerian students.
