The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has begun disbursing June and July upkeep allowances to eligible beneficiaries, clearing two months of outstanding payments under the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
The latest disbursement comes after many students received their ₦20,000 May upkeep allowance within the past two weeks. Beneficiaries are now receiving ₦40,000, covering the June and July allowances.
The payments have been welcomed by students across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, with many confirming receipt of the funds through bank alerts shared on social media. Beneficiaries described the disbursement as timely, saying it would help cover essential expenses such as feeding, transportation, study materials and other academic needs.
Several students applauded President Bola Tinubu for introducing the student loan initiative, saying it has eased the financial burden on families and enabled many to continue their education despite the country’s economic challenges.
They also commended NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, for ensuring the release of the outstanding allowances, describing the payment of both months at once as a sign of the agency’s commitment to improving its disbursement process.
Despite the latest payments, some beneficiaries expressed concerns over the delays that preceded the release of the funds. They said the prolonged wait created financial hardship, making it difficult to afford basic necessities, including feeding, transport and academic materials.
Some students also urged NELFUND to adopt a more predictable payment schedule and improve communication whenever delays occur, expressing hope that the clearance of the backlog marks a return to regular monthly disbursements.
One X user, Heis MusteeB (@haruna33704833), wrote: “Please upkeep shoud be the main focus now. Imagine students on regular programme that cannot work while studying because lectures alone takes 2/3 of hours on each day……finding it difficult to study because of financial constraints. Things are hard on students pls!!”
Responding to the concerns, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) assured beneficiaries that all outstanding payments would be completed as disbursements continue in batches.
In a statement, NANS National President Akinteye Afeez said the association had received assurances that every eligible student would receive the outstanding allowances.
“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.”
Afeez urged students who are yet to receive their payments to remain patient, explaining that the disbursements are being processed in batches. He added that NANS would continue engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the student loan programme.
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