‘Technical glitch, portal reconciliation delay NELFUND allowance payments’
Nigerian Education Loan Fund. Photo: NELFUND
Kindly share this story:
A technical glitch on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund portal disrupted the disbursement of students’ upkeep allowances, leaving thousands of beneficiaries waiting for payments for about two months.
The development was confirmed by a source within NELFUND, who disclosed that the agency was currently working to resolve the problem and reconcile affected transactions.
“We have a system glitch, and we’re trying to reconcile,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, told our correspondent.
The disclosure comes amid mounting complaints from beneficiaries of the student loan scheme over the non-payment of monthly upkeep allowances, a development that has sparked concerns among students who depend on the stipends to meet their basic living expenses.
The disruption has also attracted the attention of the National Association of Nigerian Students, which said it had received numerous complaints from students across tertiary institutions nationwide regarding the delayed payments.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the President of NANS, Babatunde Akinteye, said the association had gathered reports indicating that the disbursement of upkeep allowances had been on hold for the past two months.
“I have it on good authority that the disbursement of students’ upkeep allowances has been on hold for the past two months, with no clear explanation or accountability from the relevant authorities,” Akinteye said.
He expressed concern that the delay was causing anxiety among beneficiaries and undermining the objective of the student loan scheme.
“The primary objective of the NELFUND initiative is to provide relief and support to Nigerian students, particularly in the face of prevailing economic realities. Any delay that deprives students of access to these funds undermines the very purpose for which the initiative was established,” he added.
The student leader called on the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to intervene and ensure that all outstanding allowances were paid without further delay.
He also urged the authorities to provide a clear explanation for the disruption and timelines for resolving the issue.
Although the association threatened peaceful mass action should the delays persist, the focus of students’ concerns remains the prolonged disruption of payments that many rely on for feeding, transportation, accommodation and other day-to-day expenses.
Efforts to obtain an official response from NELFUND on the extent of the glitch and when payments would resume were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The latest disruption comes as NELFUND continues the implementation of Nigeria’s student loan programme, one of the flagship education interventions of the President Bola Tinubu administration. NELFUND was established following the enactment of the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, which was signed into law by President Tinubu in June 2023 and later amended in 2024 to strengthen the framework for implementation.
The agency was created to provide interest-free loans to eligible students in public tertiary institutions and to offer upkeep support to help beneficiaries cope with living expenses while pursuing their education.
Since disbursements began, the fund has approved loans and allowances for hundreds of thousands of students across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
The scheme has been widely viewed as a major intervention aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education and improving access for students from low-income backgrounds.
However, implementation has not been without challenges. Beneficiaries have at various times raised concerns over verification delays, application processing issues and payment timelines.
The latest portal glitch has now emerged as another test for the programme, with students and stakeholders urging NELFUND to resolve the problem swiftly and restore confidence in the scheme.
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with four years of experience covering Nigeria’s vast education sector as well as related areas such as politics, health, security, and labour. She blends rigorous reporting with digital storytelling to bring clarity and insight to complex issues affecting learners, educators, and policymakers. Deborah was a nominee for The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) Prize in Journalism, recognising her impactful reporting and contributions to Nigerian media. Her work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism. In addition to her reporting, she is fluent in multiple languages and serves as a contributing member of The Punch editorial board.
Kindly share this story:
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
UPDATE NEWS: As a Nigerian living in Nigeria or diaspora, you can now earn about ₦17- ₦25Million when you acquire premium domains for as low as $2500. You get paid in US Dollars. Ideal for Civil/public servants, Entrepreneurs, Accountants, Doctors, IT Experts and many others. Click here to start.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!
Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.
6 minutes agoTinubu seeks Senate confirmation of ex-FUOYE VC as ambassador
24 minutes ago Actress Ini-Okojie welcomes baby boy, shares emotional birthday post
29 minutes agoPolice detain six officers in Imo over viral assault video
36 minutes ago Nigeria better prepared for future outbreaks after COVID-19 investments - NACA
Police kill two kidnappers, recover N2.2m ransom proceeds in Ogun June 24, 2026 11:56 am
Tinubu never said Nigerians should reject him over power supply - Presidential aide
