NELFUND Commences Disbursement of Upkeep Allowances
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially begun paying June and July upkeep allowances to student beneficiaries across Nigeria, bringing relief after weeks of frustration over delayed disbursements under the Federal Government's student loan programme. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National President, Akinteye Babatunde, confirmed that disbursements started on Friday, July 24, 2026, and assured that all outstanding backlogs would be settled.
NANS President Confirms Payment and Urges Patience
In a statement issued on Friday, Akinteye Babatunde said: "The payment of June and July NELFUND upkeep allowances has officially commenced. As I assured you, every outstanding backlog will be paid. We remain committed to ensuring that no eligible Nigerian student is left behind." He urged students who had not yet received their allowances to remain calm, noting that payments are being processed in batches. "To all beneficiaries, I urge you to remain patient as payments are processed. If you have not received yours yet, kindly stay calm, as disbursements are being made in batches. We are here for you, always, and we will continue to stand firmly in defence of the welfare and interests of Nigerian students. Aluta Continua!"
Students Share Evidence of Successful Payments
Prior to the official confirmation from NANS, several beneficiaries had already taken to X to post screenshots of credit alerts showing receipt of their June and July allowances. This indicated that batch payments had already reached some accounts before the public announcement was made. The upkeep allowance is separate from tuition payments, which NELFUND remits directly to institutions, and is designed to provide eligible students with monthly living support while enrolled in tertiary education.
NELFUND Prevents UNILAG Student from Dropping Out
In a related development, Migwe Obinna Nicholas, a 300-level Theatre Arts student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), revealed that he was on the verge of dropping out before he applied for the NELFUND student loan. Nicholas, who performs under the name BMX Royce, said he left his sister's home after her husband pressured him to abandon school and join his business. He currently sleeps in his local church and shared what the NELFUND application process involves for struggling students.
Top 10 States with Highest NELFUND Applications
NELFUND provides interest-free loans to support Nigerian students in tertiary education. The top ten states applying for NELFUND student loans include Kano, Borno, and eight others. Nigerians have raised concerns over the lack of applications from students from the South-South and South-East states.
