Students receive June, July NELFUND upkeep payments as backlog clearance begins

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has commenced the payment of June and July upkeep allowances to student beneficiaries across the country, bringing relief to thousands of students following weeks of complaints over delays in the disbursement of the monthly support.

 

The development was confirmed on Friday by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), while several beneficiaries also shared screenshots of credit alerts on social media platform X, indicating that the payments had begun.

 

In a statement, Akinteye Babatunde, NANS National President, announced that the disbursement process was underway and assured students that all outstanding upkeep allowance backlogs would be cleared.

 

“The payment of June and July NELFUND upkeep allowances has officially commenced.

 

“As I assured you, every outstanding backlog will be paid. We remain committed to ensuring that no eligible Nigerian student is left behind,” he said.

 

Akinteye urged beneficiaries who were yet to receive their payments not to panic, explaining that the allowances were being processed in batches.

 

“To all beneficiaries, I urge you to remain patient as payments are processed. If you have not received yours yet, kindly stay calm, as disbursements are being made in batches.

 

“We are here for you, always, and we will continue to stand firmly in defence of the welfare and interests of Nigerian students. Aluta Continua!” he added.

 

The announcement follows growing concerns from students across tertiary institutions over delays in receiving the monthly upkeep allowances provided under the Federal Government’s student loan programme.

 

In recent weeks, many beneficiaries had taken to social media to express frustration over the delayed payments, prompting calls for NELFUND to expedite the disbursement process.

 

Following Friday’s announcement, several students confirmed receipt of their June and July allowances by posting screenshots of bank credit alerts on X, suggesting that the payment process had begun in earnest.

 

The upkeep allowance forms part of the NELFUND student loan scheme, which was established by the Federal Government to improve access to higher education by easing the financial burden on students.

 

Under the programme, NELFUND pays tuition fees directly to approved tertiary institutions while providing eligible students with monthly upkeep allowances to support their living expenses throughout their studies.

 

The latest disbursement is expected to ease financial pressure on beneficiaries, many of whom had relied on the monthly stipends to cover accommodation, transportation, feeding and other essential expenses. NELFUND and student representatives have maintained that outstanding payments will continue to be processed until all eligible beneficiaries receive their entitlements.