NELFUND Releases ₦218.2 Million for 3,575 Students in Zaria and Ibadan

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed a total of ₦218.2 million to support institutional fees for 3,575 students at two tertiary institutions in Kaduna and Oyo states, according to reports published on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

The beneficiaries attend the Federal University of Education, Zaria, in Kaduna State, and the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, in Oyo State. The disbursements form part of the Federal Government’s student-loan initiative, which is designed to improve access to higher education and reduce the immediate financial pressure on students and their families.

Institutional records cited in the reports indicate that the payments were made in several tranches across different periods and academic sessions.

The Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, received ₦54.21 million for 360 students in four disbursement tranches between August 2025 and April 2026.

According to a letter from the institution’s Provost, Professor Jonathan Jeremiah Atungwu, the funds covered institutional fees for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.

The reported breakdown shows that ₦19.524 million was released for 91 students on August 13, 2025, while ₦11.197 million went to 54 students on October 22, 2025.

For the 2025/2026 session, ₦7.768 million was disbursed for 73 students on March 25, 2026. A further ₦15.721 million was released for 142 students on April 8, 2026.

The institution reportedly acknowledged the support and commended NELFUND and the Federal Government for their continued cooperation.

The Federal University of Education, Zaria, received ₦163.99 million for 3,215 students to cover registration fees for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Yahaya Isa Bunkure, confirmed receipt of the funds in a letter dated September 3, 2026. The payments were reportedly made in eight tranches between December 2025 and February 2026 and credited to the institution’s Treasury Single Account.

The reported transactions included ₦4.824 million for 106 students in December 2025, followed by further payments in January and February 2026. One of the largest tranches amounted to approximately ₦49.127 million for 980 students on February 20, while another ₦39.907 million supported 766 students on February 27.

The university said receipts were issued to beneficiaries to support documentation and accountability.

The combined payments provide institutional-fee support to thousands of students, potentially helping eligible beneficiaries meet required charges and continue their studies with less immediate financial pressure.

However, the reported disbursements should not be interpreted as cash payments made directly to every student. The figures cited relate to institutional fees and registration charges, and the specific coverage depends on each institution’s records and the applicable academic session.

NELFUND’s student-loan programme is intended to widen access to tertiary education. Its impact will depend not only on the amount disbursed but also on transparent administration, timely processing, clear communication with applicants and accurate records of beneficiaries.

Students should consult their institutions and NELFUND’s official communication channels for information about their individual applications, eligibility and payment status.

The reported payments underline the importance of clear reporting on how student-loan funds are allocated and used. Institutions, administrators and the fund all have a role in ensuring that eligible students receive the support approved for them and that the transactions can be properly verified.

As the programme continues, reliable information about disbursement dates, beneficiary numbers and the fees covered will be important for students and families assessing the scheme’s practical benefits.

247NewsCheck.com will continue to monitor developments in NELFUND’s student-loan programme and report further verified information about disbursements, eligibility and access to higher education in Nigeria.