BY: ZAINAB BUKAR MAIJALO, OCTOBER 16, 2025/ 09:34AM

For many Nigerian students, the dream of higher education has long been a difficult journey.

Rising tuition fees often force promising youths to drop out, while families struggle to keep up with costs, sometimes selling property or borrowing at high interest rates.

Each year, thousands of capable students are sent home simply because they cannot pay.

To address this, the Federal Government introduced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), a program designed to make tertiary education more accessible.

The initiative provides interest-free loans to students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Its goal is simple: no Nigerian student should be denied education due to financial constraints.

NELFund stands out for its student-friendly approach.

Graduates begin repayment only after securing employment, giving them breathing room to establish themselves before handling debt.

This structure not only eases financial pressure but also encourages students to focus fully on their studies.

Families also benefit greatly, as parents can allocate resources to other essentials while students pursue their education without the stress and stigma of unpaid fees.

Education experts note that NELFund could also boost national development.

By helping more students graduate, the scheme creates a larger pool of skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators—key drivers of economic growth.

Over time, this could strengthen Nigeria’s workforce and enhance its competitiveness on a global scale.

The program encourages accountability, motivating students to complete their education successfully, knowing that repayment will eventually begin once they are employed.

Despite its promise, NELFund faces challenges, including concerns about tracking graduates in a largely informal job market and potential mismanagement or favoritism.

Many students who have benefited from the program describe it as life-changing.

'NELFund has really been a relief to us students,' Fatima Ahmad, a 300-level political science student said.

'It helps reduce the financial burden, especially with rising costs of tuition fees.'

Muhammad Inuwa, a 200-level biology education student said 'NELFund is a big support. It gives us hope to focus more on our studies without worrying too much about money.'

For parents, the impact is equally significant.

Families can plan their finances better, reduce debt, and invest in other areas of their children’s growth.

With proper management, transparency, and commitment, NELFund can become a model for student support in Africa, representing hope, opportunity, and the possibility of education without tears for millions of Nigerian youths.

Zainab Bukar Maijalo Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.