by NELFUND disburses N1.33 billion to UNILAG students for the 2025/2026 academic session, bringing major financial relief to thousands facing escalating tuition costs. This interest-free loan directly covers tuition and fees for 6,308 verified beneficiaries, clearing hurdles for smooth registration and class access. In a landscape where university fees have surged, this move empowers students to prioritize studies over financial stress.
Disbursement Breakdown
On January 19, 2026, NELFUND transferred exactly N1,326,550,000 to UNILAG, drawn from verified applications submitted via the 2025 portal. This payout adheres to NELFUND’s approved schedule, focusing on students who fully completed validation processes. Funds flow straight to tuition accounts post-institutional verification, with NELFUND emphasizing prompt student alerts to prevent hitches.
UNILAG leads this disbursement batch, underscoring its large applicant pool. Nationally, NELFUND’s efforts have now surpassed N174 billion in total loans by late January 2026. Launched via the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) 2024 under President Bola Tinubu, the program aids public university and polytechnic students from low-income homes. Repayment kicks in only after graduation and securing gainful employment, easing immediate burdens.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | N1,326,550,000 |
| Beneficiaries | 6,308 students |
| Date | January 19, 2026 |
| Purpose | Tuition fees and registration |
| National Total | Over N174 billion |
Who Qualifies and Next Steps
Approved students met NELFUND’s rigorous criteria: valid enrollment documents, guarantor information, and successful BVN/NIN verification through portal.nelf.gov.ng. If listed, visit UNILAG’s bursary or student affairs office for confirmation—funds auto-apply to fees, freeing personal funds for living expenses. For discrepancies like overpayments or shortfalls, UNILAG manages refunds or corrections; direct queries there, avoiding NELFUND’s social media to cut misinformation.
Non-beneficiaries shouldn’t despair—watch for new application windows or submit appeals through official portals. NELFUND partners closely with institutions for rapid list reconciliations, insisting on verified channels over hearsay.
Impact on Students
This cash infusion tackles UNILAG’s fee hikes—freshers now face N70,000+ for some programs—allowing seamless session resumption amid ongoing classes. Returning students dodge deferrals, while families breathe easier from education costs. Broader ripple: it levels the field for underprivileged undergrads and postgrads in high-demand fields like sciences and education, fostering merit-based access.
NELFUND’s MD, Akintunde Sawyerr, stressed transparency: “No eligible student will be left behind.” With disbursements rolling to other institutions, monitoring nelf.gov.ng keeps everyone updated.
Why This Matters for Students
Nigerian higher education often teeters on financial cliffs—delays in funding force deferrals, part-time hustles, or dropouts, tanking GPAs and dreams. NELFUND flips this script. Key wins include:
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Timely Registration: No more fee barriers blocking portals or lectures.
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Family Relief: Parents redirect scarce resources to health or siblings.
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Academic Focus: Students dive into projects, research, and extracurriculars without survival side gigs.
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Equity Boost: Prioritizes indigent applicants, narrowing class divides in public varsities.
This isn’t charity; it’s investment. Structured funding like NELFUND sustains talent pipelines for Nigeria’s growth sectors—tech, engineering, medicine—while curbing graduate debt traps common elsewhere.
Student Action Steps
UNILAG beneficiaries, act fast to maximize this:
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Confirm Eligibility: Cross-check your name on the official NELFUND/UNILAG list at the bursary.
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Verify Payment: Log into your student account or inquire about reflection timelines.
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Report Glitches: Flag delays/disputes immediately to bursary or NELFUND support.
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Finalize Registration: Use cleared fees to complete all steps—ID cards, courses, hostels—on time.
Proactivity secures your spot and avoids penalties like course overloads.
Where to Find Reliable Information
Skip rumors—rely on primaries:
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UNILAG Bursary/Student Affairs notices
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NELFUND site: nelf.gov.ng and portal.nelf.gov.ng
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Official socials for announcements only
Conclusion
NELFUND’s N1.33 billion to UNILAG marks a pivotal stride in accessible education, validating the 2024 Act’s promise. It transforms potential dropouts into graduates, families’ sacrifices into successes, and Nigeria’s student body into a resilient force. Eligible students: verify, register, excel. This is your cue—grab the opportunity and build unstoppably.
