Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has commenced the payment of outstanding June and July 2026 upkeep allowances to eligible student beneficiaries nationwide, with each beneficiary receiving ₦40,000 to cover the two-month backlog.
The latest disbursement clears the outstanding upkeep arrears after many beneficiaries received their ₦20,000 May allowance within the last two weeks, bringing relief to thousands of students enrolled in the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.
The delay in the payment of the monthly upkeep allowance had generated concerns among beneficiaries, prompting the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to intervene.
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NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, had earlier urged the relevant authorities to ensure the prompt payment of the allowances, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu introduced the student loan scheme to ease the financial burden on students and their parents.
The commencement of the June and July payments has triggered excitement across campuses, with beneficiaries sharing bank alerts on social media and expressing relief after months of waiting.
Students from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education described the payment as a timely intervention that would help them meet pressing academic and personal needs, including feeding, transportation, study materials and other essential expenses.
Many beneficiaries commended President Tinubu for introducing the student loan programme, saying it has restored hope to thousands of Nigerian students pursuing higher education despite prevailing economic challenges.
They noted that the initiative has significantly reduced the financial pressure on parents and guardians while enabling students to remain focused on their studies.
They also hailed the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, for ensuring the outstanding payments were released, describing his leadership as responsive and committed to the welfare of Nigerian students.
According to the students, the simultaneous payment of the June and July upkeep allowances demonstrates NELFUND’s determination to address previous delays and improve the efficiency of the disbursement process.
Despite the latest payments, some beneficiaries expressed concern over the prolonged delays that preceded the disbursement, saying the situation disrupted their ability to meet basic needs such as feeding, transportation, and the purchase of academic materials.
They appealed to NELFUND to establish a more predictable payment schedule and improve communication with beneficiaries whenever delays occur, expressing hope that the clearance of the backlog would usher in more regular monthly disbursements.
Reacting to the development on Sunday, NANS assured students that all outstanding upkeep arrears would be settled as payments continue in batches.
In a statement, NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez said the association had received assurances that no eligible beneficiary would be left out of the payment process.
“The payment of June and July NELFUND upkeep allowances has officially commenced. As I assured you, every outstanding backlog will be paid. We remain committed to ensuring that no eligible Nigerian student is left behind,” he said.
He appealed to students who were yet to receive their allowances to remain calm and patient, explaining that the disbursements were being processed in batches.
Afeez reiterated NANS’ commitment to safeguarding the welfare and interests of Nigerian students, pledging to continue engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the student loan scheme.
Meanwhile, the NANS President has called for urgent intervention over complaints by students of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), who alleged that they had not received their NELFUND upkeep allowances since January.
According to Afeez, the matter has been formally escalated to the leadership of NELFUND for immediate attention.
“Following the concerns raised by students of the University of Uyo regarding their NELFUND upkeep payments, I have formally escalated the matter to the leadership of NELFUND for urgent attention.
“I want to assure all affected UNIUYO students that the issues surrounding their upkeep, which they claim has not been paid since January, are receiving the necessary attention. I have been assured that efforts are being made to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
“I therefore urge all affected students to remain calm and hopeful while the process is being concluded. NANS will continue to engage all relevant stakeholders until every legitimate concern is addressed and every deserving beneficiary receives their entitlement.
“The welfare of Nigerian students remains our priority, and we will not relent in ensuring that their rights and interests are protected,” he stated.
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