Sawyerr Vows Quicker, More Inclusive Student Loans Through NELFUND

Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, head of NELFUND, has pledged faster, more inclusive student loan access—especially for technical and diploma students—through ongoing system automation, stakeholder collaboration, and responsible processing.

allscho The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that all eligible students—including those in technical and diploma programs—have timely and inclusive access to educational loans.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement and technical workshop on system automation and loan application in Abuja, Sawyerr addressed growing concerns from technical education stakeholders, particularly around access delays for students in diploma programs.

“For too long, technical students have been left behind financially. Many drop out or don’t apply at all. That’s the gap we’re closing,” he stated.

Acknowledging the early challenges of rolling out such a large-scale initiative, Sawyerr emphasized that the loan system is being refined based on feedback and technological improvements to better serve students’ needs.

The workshop brought together representatives from polytechnics, monotechnics, and technical institutions, focusing on streamlining and automating the loan application process. Sawyerr praised these institutions as critical to national development and innovation, noting that the Fund aims to ensure fairness, trust, and collaboration.

“This is more than disbursing funds. It’s about creating equitable access to opportunities,” he said, applauding the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its regulatory support and encouraging further integration of institutional systems with NELFUND’s platform.

Sawyerr reminded participants that while the loans are not grants, they are strategic investments in students’ futures. “Students must decide wisely. A loan should propel them toward a purpose,” he added.

As of the latest update, NELFUND has received about 570,000 registrations, with over 515,000 completed applications. The platform currently averages around 1,800 new applications daily. Sawyerr assured that while the Fund aims to accelerate approvals, it will not compromise on thorough vetting and accountability.

“We are custodians of public trust and resources. Our duty is to ensure fast yet responsible disbursement,” he concluded.

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Sources: ALLSCHOOL, LEADERSHIP