Migwe Obinna Nicholas, a 300-level Theatre Arts student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has revealed that the Federal Government's student loan scheme, NELFUND, is the sole reason he remains enrolled. Nicholas, who performs as BMX Royce, currently lives in his local church after leaving his sister's home due to a dispute over his education. His story, shared in an interview with former Big Brother Naija housemate DeeOne on July 20, 2026, highlights the struggles of financially disadvantaged students in Nigeria.
Background and Family Pressure
Nicholas, originally from Ebonyi State, moved to Lagos at age eight to live with his elder sister, who supported his early education. He is the first person in his family to attend university. When he gained admission to UNILAG, his sister's husband issued an ultimatum: abandon school and join the family's accessories business. Nicholas refused, stating, "He always wanted me to go into his line of business, which was selling accessories, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to go to school and become a music artist." Consequently, he moved into his local church, where he continues to reside while attending classes.
How NELFUND Prevented Dropout
The sharp rise in tuition fees pushed Nicholas to consider dropping out. He encountered the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) just in time. "I was thinking about dropping out, but I had to take that loan because I didn't want to stop. If the loan didn't come, only God would have helped me," he said. Under the scheme, he applied for both tuition support and a monthly upkeep stipend of ₦20,000. According to Nicholas, NELFUND has paid his school fees for more than one session, but the stipend payments have been irregular. He received three months of upkeep before payments stopped, and only one payment has been made in the current session. Despite this, he expressed gratitude: "I'm not complaining about the stipend. As long as they pay my school fees and I'm able to register my courses, that's fine."
Advice for Other Students
Nicholas described the NELFUND application process as straightforward: "Just go to their site, register with your email and school credentials. They'll verify it, and you get paid." He cautioned against misuse, urging only students in genuine financial difficulty to apply. He noted that beneficiaries have a two-year grace period after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme to begin repayment. Confident in his ability to repay, he stated, "I'm the last born, and I want to keep that legacy going," referring to his goal of becoming the family's first university graduate.
NELFUND Clarifies Allowance Status
NELFUND has denied reports that the federal government stopped student upkeep allowance payments. Officials identified a fraudulent newspaper cover, created using artificial intelligence, that spread misinformation among students. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to efficient disbursement of loans and upkeep support through verified channels.
Top States with Highest NELFUND Applications
Legit.ng reported that NELFUND provides interest-free loans to support Nigerian tertiary students. The top ten states with the highest applications include Kano, Borno, and eight others. Concerns have been raised about low application numbers from students in the South-South and South-East regions.
