UNN VC Raises Alarm Over Low Southeast Uptake of NELFUND, Urges Students to Apply

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, has expressed concern over low participation from Southeast students in the Federal Government's Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), despite what he described as the scheme's significant benefits. Speaking at a press conference ahead of UNN's 55th Convocation Ceremony, Ortuanya disclosed that only about 7,201 UNN students have accessed the loan facility so far, though he noted the figure continues to rise as more applications are processed. "As we are speaking, some people are filling the forms while approvals are being made. But we can say that those who have benefited are in the neighbourhood of 7,201 students, and we hope that the number will rise quickly," he said. Describing NELFUND as an unprecedented initiative, Ortuanya credited President Bola Tinubu with removing what he called a major barrier to university education. "I did state that NELFUND is an innovation. It hasn't happened before, and that is why we have to continue to extend our gratitude to our Visitor, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Tinubu," he said, adding that the scheme means money should no longer stand in the way of anyone wanting to attend university. However, the Vice-Chancellor lamented that the Southeast lags well behind other regions in tapping into the fund. Citing figures presented at a recent stakeholders' meeting in Enugu — convened by Governor Peter Mbah with the Managing Director of NELFUND to brief heads of tertiary institutions in the state — Ortuanya said the region's uptake was strikingly low. "The statistics were worrisome. In the whole of the Southeast, the number of beneficiaries of NELFUND is not equal to what one state in the Northeast has recorded. That's because they take it seriously," he said. Ortuanya emphasised the financial advantage of the interest-free loan, arguing it makes sense even for families who can afford tuition outright, since they could invest their money elsewhere while repaying the loan later. "This is money that is available, zero interest. If I were a businessman, even if I had the money to pay school fees, I would rather put my money in the bank and take the loan. By the time repayment is due, my money would have generated interest; I would repay the loan and still keep the gains," he explained. He appealed directly to UNN students and parents across the Southeast to take advantage of the scheme, noting that application forms remain readily accessible. "Our people are not taking advantage of the benefits of NELFUND. Let me use this opportunity to inform our students that the forms are there, and we encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity," he said.