The University of Maiduguri has recorded the highest number of student loan applications under the newly launched National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with 37,719 applicants as of July 2025, according to data from NELFUND and research firm StatiSense.

The figures show that federal universities in Nigeria’s northern regions dominate the list of top applicants, with Bayero University Kano (26,446), Federal University Dutsin-Ma (22,656), and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (21,166) following closely behind Maiduguri.

Other institutions with high loan application numbers include Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (16,038), University of Jos (15,788), and Federal University of Kashere (14,517).

From the southern region, the University of Uyo registered 13,150 applicants, while the University of Ilorin and Modibbo Adama University of Technology had 11,270 and 11,091 applications respectively.

Meanwhile, NELFUND has disbursed over N77 billion in student loans since the opening of its application portal on May 24, 2024, according to the agency’s latest dashboard report released on July 29.

According to NELFUND Managing Director Akinlunde Sawyerr, 700,546 students have registered for the scheme, with 684,017 completing loan applications. So far, 396,252 students have benefited from the programme, representing more than half of the total applicants.

A total of N41.7 billion has been disbursed directly to 210 tertiary institutions across Nigeria for tuition fees, while N35.3 billion has been paid as upkeep allowances to support students’ living expenses.

NELFUND also revealed that 97 per cent of all registered students successfully submitted applications. On July 28 alone, 2,452 new students registered and 3,069 successfully applied, reflecting a 125 per cent increase in application success from the previous day.

The loan scheme, a flagship initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to remove financial barriers to higher education and ensure equitable access for students in public tertiary institutions. (The Guardian)