The Enugu State Government has commenced a statewide drive to increase awareness and participation in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Education Support Programme among students in tertiary institutions across the state.
The initiative followed a strategic sensitisation and implementation meeting hosted by Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah with the management of NELFUND, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, alongside Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts and representatives of tertiary institutions in Enugu State.
The programme, spearheaded by the Enugu State Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Enugu MSME and Startup Agency, is aimed at ensuring that eligible students are adequately informed, supported and guided through the application process to access the Federal Government’s education financing intervention under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The state government expressed concern over the low uptake of the NELFUND scheme in Enugu and the South-East, prompting the adoption of an institution-by-institution approach to mobilise students, address misconceptions and improve access to the programme.
Through NELFUND, eligible students can receive financial support for tuition and upkeep, a development expected to reduce the burden of education costs on families, improve student retention and strengthen tertiary institutions.
Governor Mbah urged institutions across the state to establish dedicated support desks, assist students with applications and ensure timely verification of beneficiaries.
He stressed that the initiative was about expanding access to education and ensuring that no qualified student in Enugu State is left behind due to financial constraints.
The state government encouraged students in public tertiary institutions to take advantage of the opportunity by applying through the official NELFUND portal.
