The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced plans to implement specialized software that will assist students with disabilities in applying for loans. This aims to ensure that visually impaired students and others with special needs can access funding without barriers.
NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, revealed this development during a stakeholders’ engagement in Benin City, Edo State. He says that the student loan scheme is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all.
Sawyerr explained that the agency is collaborating with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to enhance inclusivity. “We want to see how we can make it easier for those visually impaired so that they can actually apply for the loan. We are looking at a specific software we are going to use,” he said.
The introduction of this software will help visually impaired students navigate the loan application process seamlessly. Many students with disabilities face difficulties in accessing digital platforms, making such an upgrade necessary.
Addressing concerns about loan repayment, Sawyerr clarified that loans will not be passed on to families in the event of a beneficiary’s death. “The law says that, if the very person dies, that loan is not transferred to the family or anyone else. The loan is wiped out,” he stated.
As NELFUND works toward full implementation, the specialized software will be a game-changer for students with disabilities, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the pursuit of higher education.
