The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has deepened its footprint in Ogun State after its recent sensitisation programme triggered a surge in student loan applications amounting to more than ₦785 million in disbursements to tertiary institutions across the state.
The awareness campaign, held at the Crownbirth Event Centre in Ijebu-Ife, was facilitated by education advocate Otunba Femi Adewumi and hosted by the Executive Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde (Hacco).
The event brought together parents, students, school administrators and community leaders to demystify the process of accessing the Federal Government-backed loan scheme.
Adewumi said the outreach was motivated by the need to ensure that no child abandons higher education due to lack of funds.
“Our goal was simple — to ensure that no student in our communities is left behind because of financial barriers. I am proud of the impact this sensitisation has achieved,” he said.
Data released by NELFUND for the 2024/2025 academic session shows the following institutions had already received funds:
Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU):
3,473 students — ₦718,585,000
Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science & Technology, Omu-Ajose:
Batch 1: 264 students — ₦33,575,000
Batch 2: 59 students — ₦6,997,500
Total: ₦40,572,500
Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic:
Batch 1: 87 students — ₦12,164,500
Batch 2: 18 students — ₦14,779,500
The sensitisation programme, according to stakeholders, contributed significantly to the spike in applications from Ogun State.
NELFUND Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, commended the organisers for driving grassroots engagement and increasing access to the loan initiative.
“Our mission is to democratise access to higher education for every Nigerian student, regardless of financial background. The support from community leaders such as Otunba Femi Adewumi and Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde shows what is possible when government institutions and local stakeholders work together,” Sawyerr said.
He added that NELFUND would expand its outreach to all geopolitical zones to ensure wider national awareness.
The Fund praised Adewumi for championing the Ijebu-Ife awareness drive, noting that such community-led initiatives remain crucial to ensuring students nationwide fully understand and benefit from the scheme.
NELFUND said its team will continue institutional visits and sensitisation tours to deepen access to the loan across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Enquiries are to be directed through NELFUND’s verified communication channels.
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