The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has released the sum of ₦32,142,000 to support 750 students of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.
The latest disbursement is part of the federal government’s ongoing effort to ease the financial pressure on students and their families, especially at a time when the rising cost of living and education is making it difficult for many young Nigerians to pursue their studies without interruption.
Confirming the payment, NELFUND said the move underscores its determination to ensure that students in all parts of the country have fair access to loans that will help cover tuition, accommodation, and other academic needs.
A staff member at the college, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the payment as “timely relief” for hundreds of students who had been struggling to raise funds. “Many of our students come from modest backgrounds. For some of them, this loan is the difference between staying in school and dropping out,” the staff member said.
Some beneficiaries who spoke to Naijaonpoint Media expressed gratitude, noting that the loans would help them concentrate fully on their studies. A second-year student, Halima Musa, said she had been worried about paying her fees until news of the disbursement broke. “It has really lifted a weight off my shoulders. Now I can focus on my exams without thinking of how to raise money,” she said.
For NELFUND, the Gombe disbursement is part of a larger rollout of funds across Nigerian institutions, with more colleges and universities expected to be captured in the coming weeks. Officials insist the process is being handled carefully to ensure transparency and accountability, while also encouraging students to take advantage of the scheme.
The student loan programme was established to expand access to higher education and reduce the financial obstacles faced by young Nigerians. Education observers believe that if sustained, it could make a significant impact on the country’s human capital development by allowing more students to complete their studies and enter the workforce.
With this latest release, hundreds of families in Gombe State have been given a boost, and attention is now turning to how quickly other institutions will benefit from the initiative.