The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has announced that over one million Nigerian students are currently benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), receiving full tuition coverage and a monthly stipend of ₦20,000.
Yilwatda made this disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he highlighted the growing impact of the student loan initiative on Nigerian households.
According to him, the programme was designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing young Nigerians, the inability to afford school fees.
“Most students in Nigeria have difficulty paying their school fees. I know many who had to withdraw from universities simply because they couldn’t afford it,” Yilwatda said.
He explained that under NELFUND, eligible students can access loans that completely cover their tuition fees, while also receiving ₦20,000 every month as upkeep allowance, whether they are in school or on holiday.
The APC chairman noted that beyond supporting students, the initiative has become a lifeline for families across the country.
“I know students who use this support to help their parents, invest in farming, and even pay the school fees of their younger siblings during holidays,” he added.
Yilwatda emphasized that the scheme is open to students nationwide, urging those struggling with fees to take advantage of it.
“It’s available to anybody in Nigeria. If you’re a student struggling with school fees, register your institution and put your name forward. We offset your entire school fees, and you get ₦20,000 every month,” he stated.
Describing NELFUND as a critical social protection programme, Yilwatda said it indirectly supports millions of Nigerian parents and households.
He also revealed that other social welfare initiatives of the federal government, including health insurance schemes, have already reached between four and five million Nigerians.
The APC chairman reaffirmed the party’s commitment to policies aimed at easing economic pressure on citizens, particularly students and vulnerable families, as part of broader efforts to improve human capital development in Nigeria.
