Most beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in four higher institutions across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states have received their June and July monthly upkeep allowances.
The institutions include Yobe State University, Damaturu; Federal College of Education, Potiskum; Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU), Maiduguri; and the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.
Beneficiaries received ₦40,000, covering the June and July upkeep allowances of ₦20,000 per month. The scheme also covers the payment of tuition fees.
The Dean of Student Affairs at Yobe State University, Prof. Sani Isa, confirmed the payments, explaining that students who did not receive the upkeep allowance had failed to select the upkeep option during registration.
“They did not press the upkeep button during registration, and that is why they are only enjoying payment of the school fees component,” he said.
Isa added that the university had intensified sensitisation on the online registration process to prevent similar errors.
A History student at the institution, Mohammed Sani, commended the Federal Government for introducing the scheme, saying it had eased the burden of transportation and feeding expenses.
Similarly, an NCE I student of the Federal College of Education, Potiskum, Ibrahim Suleiman, said the scheme had enabled him to continue his education despite his parents’ financial challenges.
However, a Computer Science student at the Federal University, Gashua, Ahmed Abdullahi, said he was yet to receive his June and July upkeep allowances.
“June and July upkeep have not been paid. But my May upkeep was actually paid in June,” he said.
Responding, the university’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Adamu Saleh, said the institution had been informed that the outstanding payments were expected within the week.
“As you are aware, the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep allowance is paid directly into the students’ accounts by NELFUND. The university is not involved.
“But information available to us indicates that the payments are expected within the week,” he said.
At Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, the institution’s NELFUND Desk Officer, Abdulsalam Mintar, said the university ensured that eligible students received their monthly upkeep and that students who had paid their tuition fees were reimbursed once funds were released.
The Deputy Coordinator of the North-East Zone of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mohammed Umar, also confirmed that eligible students at the university had received their June and July allowances.
According to him, previous payment delays were due to the late release of funds by NELFUND rather than the institution.
A beneficiary, Mala Gubio, said the scheme had relieved students of the burden of paying school fees.
“We can now focus on our studies because we don’t have to struggle to pay school fees anymore,” he said.
A parent, Abur Mamman, urged the Federal Government to strengthen the scheme by ensuring timely payment of monthly upkeep allowances.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Dr Abdulrahman Ishiaka, also confirmed that students had received their June and July upkeep payments.
He explained that previous delays experienced by some students were largely due to incorrect bank details submitted during registration.
Ishiaka said the institution promptly corrected such issues whenever they were reported, enabling affected students to continue benefiting from the scheme.
A student of the polytechnic, Fatima Hassan, appealed to the Federal Government to ensure prompt payment of upkeep allowances and improve communication between NELFUND and participating institutions.
