South-East Records Lowest Applications for NELFUND Student Loans as Government Flags ‘Lack of Interest’
The top 10 institutions with the highest application volumes are dominated by schools in the South-West, North-Central, and North-West, raising concerns about a widening regional disparity in access to the loan scheme.
Government officials say that the low turnout from the South-East is due primarily to a “lack of interest” from students in the region. However, analysts point to a combination of deeper socio-economic and cultural factors that may be shaping the trend.
Factors Driving the Low Application Rate in the South-East
1. Strong Cultural Preference for Self-Sponsorship
Families in the South-East traditionally prioritise funding education through personal or community resources. Many households avoid loans of any kind — even interest-free ones — due to a deeply rooted aversion to indebtedness.
2. Suspicion of Government Programmes
Decades of perceived marginalisation and distrust in federal initiatives have made many youths and parents cautious, unsure of how the scheme will play out long term, especially regarding repayment and potential political implications.
3. Limited Awareness and Poor Sensitisation
Several institutions in the region report inadequate outreach from NELFUND. Students are less likely to apply when they do not clearly understand eligibility, repayment policies, or the benefits.
4. Migration of Students to Non-Participating or Private Institutions
The South-East has a high number of private universities and polytechnics, many of which are not fully integrated into the NELFUND system. Students enrolled there are automatically excluded from the process.
5. Economic Realities and Priorities
Many students engage in business, trade, or apprenticeship systems that provide income. Some see loans as unnecessary, preferring to fund their way through school gradually.
6. Fear of Post-Graduation Tracking and Repayment Enforcement
The mandatory linkage of the loan to future employment income is a deterrent for students who worry about job availability or government monitoring.
Officials Call for Reorientation and Engagement
Government representatives insist the programme is fully transparent and beneficial, urging South Eastern students to take advantage of the fund. They argue that increasing applications from the region is essential for achieving national equity in education access.
NELFUND is expected to expand its sensitisation campaign to South-East institutions as part of its 2025 strategy.