The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says it has disbursed student loans to 40 additional Nigerian institutions, with 5 located in the part of the country, bringing the total number of beneficiary institutions to 59.
The agency disclosed this in a statement on its official X page.
NELFUND in the post, addressed concerns regarding the exclusion of South-East-based institutions from the programme, saying five institutions from the region also benefited significantly.
The latest disbursement amounts to over N2.1 billion, benefiting 18,998 students nationwide.
The agency listed benefitting institutions in the region to include Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State – N368,400.00; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Imo State – N71,016,220.00; Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State – N45,973,600.00; Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi State – N78,313,000.00; and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu, Anambra State – N193,377,100.00.
According to NELFUND, the alleged exclusion was not targeted, but due to a lack of response from institutions in the South-East during the verification process.
It further clarified that geopolitical zones do not influence the selection process and that institutions from all regions are eligible.
“NELFUND sent a verification list to every institution eligible for disbursement. Payments are being made to institutions that have responded to this verification,” the agency stated.
It further urged institutions in the South-East to complete the verification process, stressing that only verified students are eligible for the loans.
