In a major relief for students, Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has announced the suspension of its strict fee enforcement policy for those applying for student loans through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This move aims to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder students from sitting for their examinations.
The institution’s Rector, Sylvester Omoruyi, made the announcement during a sensitization program organized by NELFUND at the polytechnic’s main campus in Usen on Tuesday. He assured students that they would no longer be required to present proof of school fee payments before taking exams if they had registered for the student loan scheme.
“The issue of chasing students out during examinations over unpaid fees is now over. We will no longer be checking payment slips. Instead, we will simply verify registration on the NELFUND portal. If you are enrolled, there is no need to worry,” Omoruyi stated.
He lauded President Bola Tinubu for initiating the student loan scheme and acknowledged the Edo State Government’s support in ensuring its successful implementation. Omoruyi also praised NELFUND for easing the financial burden on Nigerian students by covering tuition fees and providing upkeep allowances.
NELFUND Calls for Increased Participation in Edo State
Despite the polytechnic’s progressive step, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, expressed concern that Edo Polytechnic had yet to submit student data for the loan registration process.
Represented by Lami Suwaid, Director of Loan Allocation and Distribution, Sawyerr urged the institution to take full advantage of the new registration cycle for the 2024/2025 academic session and ensure widespread student participation.
“During the 2023/2024 session, NELFUND successfully enrolled 259 institutions, disbursing billions of naira to students. However, institutions in the South-South and South-East regions had the lowest registration rates. We hope to see a change in this trend,” Sawyerr stated.
Edo State Government Pledges Full Support
Speaking at the event, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to collaborating with NELFUND to maximize the impact of the loan scheme.
“Every Edo child must have access to education. This initiative provides a platform for students to achieve their dreams without dropping out due to financial difficulties,” Iyamu declared.
He emphasized that with NELFUND’s intervention, students would no longer have to depend on relatives abroad for financial assistance.
“You don’t need your uncles or aunties in Spain to send you money before you can go to school. Once you are focused and dedicated, this platform ensures you have the support you need to shine,” he added.
Students Welcome the Initiative
For many students, the NELFUND scheme represents a lifeline in their academic journey. Oboh Victor, a Business Administration student at Edo Polytechnic, expressed excitement over the development, stating that many students were eager to take advantage of the opportunity.
“This initiative will allow many of us to complete our education without financial struggles. We are grateful for this support,” Victor said.
As Edo Polytechnic moves towards full implementation of the loan scheme, stakeholders hope the institution will take the necessary steps to ensure that students can seamlessly access funding, making education more inclusive and accessible.
