Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has eased the financial burden on poor students, according to Punch. He stated that the initiative has provided crucial financial relief and removed barriers preventing disadvantaged Nigerians from accessing higher education. The remarks highlight the government's position that the student loan scheme is delivering on its goal of expanding educational opportunities for low-income students across the country.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as providing crucial financial relief to indigent students across the country. According to the report by ThisDay Live, Shettima also stated that Nigeria is firmly on the path of sustainable economic development under President Bola Tinubu. The remarks were delivered in Abuja, highlighting the administration's efforts to support access to education through the student loan scheme.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has dismissed as fake news a circulating image claiming that President Bola Tinubu announced life imprisonment for graduates who fail to repay their student loans. In a post on its official X account, NELFUND said the image, which appeared to show the front page of a newspaper report, was doctored, and urged the public to disregard the claim. The agency did not announce any such penalty for loan defaulters.

Despite rising oil wealth in Nigeria, many poor students continue to face financial hardship, prompting renewed scrutiny of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and its effectiveness in supporting access to education. According to Legit.ng, the contrast between the country's growing petroleum revenues and the ongoing struggles of disadvantaged students raises fresh questions about whether the fund is fulfilling its intended role in expanding educational opportunities for those most in need.

In an opinion piece for ThisDay, Kalu Okoronkwo argues for periodic review of the upkeep allowance provided to Nigerian students under the NELFUND scheme. The writer contends that Nigeria's oil wealth contrasts sharply with the financial struggles of poor students, describing this as evidence of the country's confused approach to educational opportunity and social investment. The article calls for reforms to better support students relying on the fund.

Nigeria's education minister has issued fresh directives to the vice-chancellors of 78 federal universities, ordering them to rebuild their Advancement Offices following a reported low turnout. According to the report, the government warned that universities must diversify their funding sources beyond reliance on government support. The move is part of efforts by President Tinubu's administration to strengthen the financial sustainability of federal tertiary institutions across the country.