Education Minister Rejects Claims of Delay in NELFUND Student Loans

Minister of State for Education Suwaiba Ahmad has rejected claims that payments under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund are generally being delayed. Ahmad made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s “Generation Next: Youth, Power & The Future We Must Build”. The broadcast was held as part of the channel’s programming for Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day anniversary.

She was responding to an undergraduate in the live audience who said the loan had not arrived when it was most needed. Ahmad said such a situation could represent an isolated case rather than a general delay in the administration of the loans. The minister also addressed how long students can receive support under the scheme.

She said students would need to apply during every academic session in order to be paid. Her comments came in response to concerns raised during the live discussion about the timing and administration of student loans. The supplied material does not provide details of the number of affected students, the value of payments or the processing time for applications.

Ahmad’s response therefore focused on two points: rejecting a broad claim that NELFUND payments were delayed and clarifying that funding is not automatically renewed without a fresh application. She made the remarks during a programme centred on youth, power and Nigeria’s future. No further information about individual applications or any planned changes to the loan process was provided in the material.