By Erewunmi Peace

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has been instrumental in revitalizing campus life and significantly enhancing student attendance at Sokoto State University, according to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Yerima.

In a recent interview, Yerima noted that regular disbursements from NELFUND have eased the financial burdens faced by many undergraduates, allowing them to focus more on their academic responsibilities. He described NELFUND as a “transformative intervention” that has brought renewed energy to the campus, especially following academic breaks when student turnout was traditionally low.

“Before now, financial hardship forced many students to prioritize survival over their studies, which adversely affected attendance and exam performance,” Yerima explained. With the introduction of NELFUND, students can now access funds that cover both their tuition and upkeep expenses. For the current academic session, the university received ₦89.1 million for 1,854 students in Batch A, and ₦83.08 million for 1,762 students in Batch B.

“The impact was immediate. Students now return fully after holidays and participate actively in lectures and academic activities,” he added. The VC emphasized that financial support from the fund allows students to afford transport to classes, further decreasing absenteeism.

Notably, NELFUND has also expanded its reach by including part-time undergraduate students after addressing initial exclusions. This inclusion has attracted working professionals and civil servants to the university.

Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director of NELFUND, reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to eliminating financial barriers that hinder students from engaging fully in higher education. “Our goal is to ensure students can focus on learning, rather than survival,” he stated.

With improved resumption rates and academic focus, NELFUND continues to play a critical role in ensuring that students at Sokoto State University can thrive both academically and personally.