Some Nigerian parents may be unaware that their children have received support through the NELFUND student loan scheme.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele raised the issue during a media briefing in Abuja.
He advised parents to ask their children whether they applied for funding through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Oyedele made the comment after a journalist said his three children had not benefited from NELFUND.
The minister suggested that the students could have applied without telling their parents.
“It is possible they’ve collected the money, and they are collecting from you,” Oyedele said.
“You need to ask your children to be honest with you.”
He encouraged parents to help their children check their applications and confirm their status.
According to Oyedele, eligible students can receive up to N1.5 million through the programme.
He also explained that NELFUND student loans cover more than school fees.
Beneficiaries can also receive monthly stipends, offering additional support during their studies.
“We’ve seen video of student randomly rejoicing because it’s not only the tuition that was being paid, they get monthly stipend interest free in a high inflationary environment,” he said.
Oyedele urged parents whose children have not applied to assist them with the process.
“You can go to the website. In fact, what you can do, ask any of those your three children to give you their details. Help them apply.”
The minister also said NELFUND student loans have recorded stronger uptake in Northern Nigeria.
He linked the lower uptake in the South partly to doubts about government programmes.
“Interestingly, the uptake is more in the North than in the South because we spend all our energy here doubting everything that government does,” he said.
The minister’s remarks highlight the need for parents and students to better understand the opportunities available through NELFUND.
