Thousands of beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are facing uncertainty after a technical issue disrupted the payment of their monthly upkeep allowances, leaving many students without financial support for nearly two months.
A source within NELFUND, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, confirmed that the agency is currently working to resolve the problem and reconcile affected transactions.
“We have a system glitch, and we’re trying to reconcile,” the source told Punch.
The disruption has triggered widespread concern among students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Many beneficiaries depend on the allowances to cover essential expenses such as feeding, transportation, accommodation and other daily needs. The prolonged delay has therefore placed significant pressure on students already dealing with challenging economic conditions.
The issue has also attracted the attention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which said it has received numerous complaints from affected beneficiaries nationwide. In a statement, NANS President Babatunde Akinteye expressed concern over the delay and its impact on students.
“I have it on good authority that the disbursement of students’ upkeep allowances has been on hold for the past two months, with no clear explanation or accountability from the relevant authorities,” Akinteye said.
According to him, the delay threatens the core objective of the student loan programme, which was established to provide financial relief and improve access to higher education.
“The primary objective of the NELFUND initiative is to provide relief and support to Nigerian students, particularly in the face of prevailing economic realities. Any delay that deprives students of access to these funds undermines the very purpose for which the initiative was established,” he added.
Akinteye called on NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa, and Finance Minister Wale Edun to intervene and ensure the immediate release of outstanding payments. He also urged authorities to provide a clear timeline for resolving the NELFUND portal glitch.
The NELFUND portal glitch represents another challenge for the scheme, which has previously faced concerns over verification processes and payment timelines. Stakeholders are now urging the agency to swiftly address the issue and restore confidence in the programme.
