The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has begun disbursing the June and July upkeep allowances to eligible student beneficiaries nationwide, bringing relief to thousands of students enrolled in the Federal Government's student loan scheme.
The latest disbursement clears the outstanding June and July 2026 upkeep arrears, following the payment of the ₦20,000 May allowance to many beneficiaries within the last two weeks. With the latest payment, students are receiving ₦40,000, covering the two outstanding months.
This development has sparked excitement across campuses nationwide, with beneficiaries confirming receipt of the funds through bank alerts and sharing their excitement on social media after months of waiting.
Students from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education described the payment as a timely intervention, saying the allowance would help them meet pressing academic and personal needs, including transportation, feeding, study materials, and other essential expenses. Many also said the scheme has eased the financial burden on parents and guardians, allowing students to remain focused on their studies despite prevailing economic challenges.
However, there have also been complaints. Some beneficiaries expressed frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the delayed payments, saying the wait disrupted their plans and left them struggling to meet basic needs such as feeding, transportation, and the purchase of academic materials.
Others said they almost sold belongings to settle urgent bills. Following the payment, they said they were able to meet those obligations and thanked NELFUND for clearing the backlog.
An X user, Johnson Oluwafemi Ojo (@Femiomoekiti), wrote:
“Thank you @NELFUND this morning I lost all hope cos my project defense is coming up next week and I have nothing on me and I need to print out and also prepare I was planing to sell my phone for any amount when the fund entered”
While some users questioned why he was thanking NELFUND for a loan he would eventually have to repay after graduation, Johnson maintained that the scheme came to his rescue when he needed it most and saved him from selling his phone at a giveaway price.
Another X user, DeenCan🇳🇦🇪🇸 (@dancaramor), responded:
“On top refundable money ooo. Chaiii
Were you not told that the money is refundable unless the give use it to camping”
Johnson replied:
“I know but it's better than selling my phone at a ridiculous price cos I can't steal”
As beneficiaries continued to react, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) assured students that all outstanding upkeep arrears would be settled as disbursements continue in batches.
In a statement, the National President of NANS, Akinteye Afeez, said the student body had received assurances that no eligible beneficiary would be left behind in 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.
Afeez appealed to beneficiaries who are yet to receive their allowances to remain calm and patient, explaining that the payments are being processed in batches.
He reaffirmed NANS' commitment to protecting the welfare and interests of Nigerian students while continuing to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of the student loan scheme. Beneficiaries also appealed to the Fund to establish a more predictable payment schedule and improve communication whenever delays occur, expressing hope that the clearance of the backlog signals a return to timely and regular disbursements in the months ahead.
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