A wave of complaints has erupted across Nigeria over delays in the disbursement of student loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with many beneficiaries accusing the agency of poor communication and slow processing.
The issue began trending on social media on Friday, April 24, 2026, as students from several tertiary institutions decried their inability to access approved funds weeks after confirmation.
Several applicants claimed they had received approval notifications but were yet to see payments reflected in their school portals or bank accounts, raising concerns about transparency and efficiency.
“I got an approval message weeks ago, but nothing has been paid. My school is still asking for fees,” one student wrote on X.
Others alleged that the delays were affecting their academic activities, including course registration and examinations, as institutions insist on proof of payment before granting full access.
In response to the growing backlash, NELFUND officials said the disbursement process involves multiple verification stages, including confirmation from institutions, which could cause slight delays.
The agency assured applicants that payments are being processed in batches and urged students to remain patient while the system is streamlined.
NELFUND was established as part of the Federal Government’s effort to expand access to higher education by providing interest-free loans to eligible Nigerian students.
The scheme, introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, is designed to ease the financial burden on students and their families, particularly amid rising tuition and living costs.
Despite the assurances, the ongoing delays have continued to fuel frustration online, with many calling for greater accountability and faster disbursement to ensure the programme meets its intended goals.
