On Saturday morning, during the TVC Breakfast show, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr made some significant revelations about the fund’s eligibility and future prospects.
One of the key takeaways from his discussion was that the fund is currently only available to individuals pursuing their first degree. This means that those seeking postgraduate and doctorate degrees are not eligible to apply. While addressing the eligibility criteria, he explained the reasons behind this restriction and provided further insights into the NELFUND scheme.
He emphasized that the fund is structured in a way that ensures transparency and accessibility for all qualified applicants. According to him, no special connections or influence are needed to access the fund, as the entire process is fully automated provided all rules and regulations are met.
Furthermore, the Managing Director stated that no loan repayments have been received yet, as the scheme is still in its early stages. However, he reassured the public that the initiative is being closely monitored by the President to ensure its smooth operation and long-term success.
In a promising note for postgraduate students, he hinted that as the scheme continues to expand, there is a possibility that postgraduate students may also benefit in the future. While this is not yet confirmed, it suggests that NELFUND could evolve to accommodate more categories of students as it develops.
For now, prospective applicants must meet the set eligibility criteria to access the fund, as the scheme remains focused on supporting undergraduates.