The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has firmly refuted allegations of discrimination in the disbursement of student loans, clarifying that the process is free from any bias based on geopolitical zones.
NELFUND had earlier announced that a total of ₦2,946,927,155 was disbursed to 27,667 students across 19 institutions nationwide.
The disbursement details include the following institutions:
University of Maiduguri — ₦589,001,500
University of Ibadan — ₦201,114,650
University of Ilorin — ₦52,897,890
University of Benin — ₦24,412,500
Federal University, Dutsin-Ma — ₦304,961,800
Bayero University, Kano — ₦853,775,000
Federal College of Education, Abeokuta — ₦1,945,700
Federal University of Technology, Minna — ₦62,928,600
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife — ₦50,414,000
Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro — ₦8,347,465
University of Lagos — ₦122,494,400
University of Jos — ₦209,320,000
Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau — ₦15,600,200
Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo — ₦18,502,500
Federal University, Dutse — ₦207,106,000
Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi — ₦130,002,800
Modibbo Adama University, Adamawa — ₦83,837,850
Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi — ₦7,218,800
Federal Polytechnic, Mubi — ₦2,045,500
However, a user on X (formerly Twitter), Santiago Leo pointed out the absence of institutions from the south-east in the list of beneficiaries, alleging neglect.
He noted that no funds were allocated to students from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).
Responding to this, NELFUND, through its official handle, clarified that the disbursement process is not influenced by the geopolitical location of institutions.
The Fund explained that all eligible institutions were sent a verification list, and disbursements were made only to those who completed the verification process.
Unfortunately, the Fund has yet to receive responses from institutions in the south-east, which is why students from these schools have not yet received loans.
NELFUND urged the institutions in the south-east to complete the verification process to ensure their students can access the loan scheme.
