Ogene Romanus Chizoba
The vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to break financial barriers to higher education is translating into tangible support for students, as the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State, has confirmed the receipt of ₦163,991,400 in NELFUND student-loan support for 3,215 students.
The university confirmed the disbursement in a letter dated September 3, 2026, signed by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, and addressed to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The intervention represents another significant development in the implementation of the student-loan programme championed by President Tinubu, whose administration established the re-enacted 2024 Student Loans Act to expand access to higher education, including support for tuition, institutional charges and upkeep.
According to the university, the funds were received in eight tranches between December 2025 and February 2026, specifically to support the payment of students’ registration fees for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The largest tranche was ₦49,126,900 for 980 students, followed by ₦39,906,900 for 766 students. Other payments included ₦20,877,150 for 393 students, ₦17,203,150 for 318 students and ₦13,660,500 for 214 students.
In its letter, the university expressed appreciation for the intervention, stating that the beneficiaries were issued receipts to ensure accountability, transparency and proper documentation.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the Federal Government and NELFUND for the support, noting its significance not only to the students but also to their parents, the university and the wider community, particularly amid economic challenges.
The latest development aligns with President Tinubu’s stated objective of using education as a pathway to expand opportunity and tackle poverty. At the launch of NELFUND’s digital disbursement process in July 2024, the President described education as a critical tool against poverty and said the student-loan scheme was intended to remove financial barriers and promote inclusiveness in higher education.
The Federal University of Education, Zaria disbursement therefore offers another practical illustration of how the student-loan framework is being deployed at institutional level—putting financial support behind thousands of students pursuing higher education.
With ₦163.99 million reaching 3,215 students, the intervention provides substantial relief to beneficiaries and further advances the Tinubu administration’s stated commitment to expanding access to tertiary education through NELFUND.
