New Opportunity: NELFUND Student Loan Now Covers Vocational Training, N56.85 Billion Already Paid to 298,124 Students
There is a new opportunity for Nigerian students, especially those learning skills and trades. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is now extending its student loan to include people in vocational centres. This new rollout is expected to begin between late June and mid-July 2025, starting from Enugu State.
This is coming after NELFUND officials visited Enugu and held a meeting with representatives from the state government. During the meeting, they agreed to begin the skills loan rollout there because Enugu has better infrastructure and systems ready to support the new plan.
This update is important for students learning fashion design, tailoring, crafts, and other practical skills. They will now be able to get loans for their training fees once this program begins.
IT Teams to Make Loan Process Easier
NELFUND has also announced a better way for students to apply. Instead of going to the main NELFUND website, students will soon be able to apply through their school or centre’s portal. IT teams will visit each institution to help connect the school’s portal with NELFUND’s system.
This change will help students in remote or rural areas who often find it hard to use the internet. Once everything is connected, students can apply faster and directly from their learning centre.
What the Loan Will Cover
According to NELFUND’s Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, the loan will cover training fees in different vocational centres. The amount each student gets will depend on what the centre proposes as the cost for their training. This makes the loan flexible and useful for many different trades and skills.
NELFUND Loan Progress – May 2025 Update
The student loan program that started in May 2024 has already made strong progress. Many students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have received money to continue their education. Here is what the data shows:
| Details | Figures |
|---|---|
| Total Money Paid | N56.85 Billion |
| Number of Student Beneficiaries | 298,124 |
| Institutions Benefited | 198 |
| Tuition Paid Directly to Schools | N30.17 Billion |
| Upkeep Money Paid to Students | N26.67 Billion |
| Students Registered on Portal | 607,326 |
| Students Who Applied | 562,556 |
| Application Success Rate | 92% |
| New Applications (May 28, 2025) | 2,265 submitted, 1,285 registered |
The loan program has already reached hundreds of institutions and thousands of students across Nigeria. It is giving real support to young people who want to go to school but don’t have enough money.
Why This Matters
This new update is a big step. Before now, only students in higher institutions like universities and polytechnics could apply. But now, even people learning practical skills — like fashion, welding, makeup, catering, and more — can benefit.
Many students drop out of skill centres because they cannot afford the training fees. With this loan, more people can finish their programs and start their own businesses or get better jobs.
Also, the direct connection with schools and training centres will help remove many delays. Students don’t have to go through long online processes anymore. Everything will be done with the help of their school.
What Happens Next?
NELFUND said the rollout to skills centres will begin in Enugu between late June and mid-July 2025. Other states will follow after that. The loan team will work with each training centre to decide how much each student needs and make the process smooth.
If you are a student in a vocational centre, you should talk to your school about this loan and prepare to apply. You don’t have to wait until you get into a university to get help.
This is a very good opportunity for many Nigerian youths who want to learn a skill and start a business or job. With NELFUND now supporting vocational education, students can now dream bigger.
NELFUND has already paid over N56.85 billion to 298,124 students. Now it’s time for vocational learners to benefit too. Watch for updates in June and July 2025 — and if you’re ready, be among the first to apply.