The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has raised concern over the low number of student loan applications from Rivers State, especially Rivers State University (RSU). According to NELFUND, only about 1,500 students from RSU have applied for the loan, compared to over 3,000 applicants from the University of Port Harcourt.
This gap is even more noticeable when compared to northern universities, where student participation is much higher. NELFUND said it is working hard to increase awareness about the loan in the South-South and South-East regions. It recently held a workshop in Abuja to train schools on how to improve the application process using digital systems.
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In June 2024, NELFUND delayed loan applications for state-owned schools due to poor data submissions. Many state institutions, including those in Rivers State, had not provided the necessary student data, which is key for verifying applications. So far, NELFUND has disbursed about ₦900 million to students in public schools like those in Kwara State.
It is encouraging more students in Rivers and other states to take advantage of the loan scheme. Students who want to apply should visit the official NELFUND portal. NELFUND is also partnering with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to spread the word in schools across Rivers State.
