Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Urges Female Students to Access Zero-Interest Loans Amidst Gender Disparity
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed that male students are applying for the Federal Government’s zero-interest education loans at a striking rate of four to one when compared to their female counterparts. This disparity has prompted officials to encourage more female students to seize the opportunity to help close the gap.
During the NELFUND Women Forum Programme held in Abuja on Monday, which coincided with the celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, highlighted the issue through the remarks made by Ms. Oluwatosin Sanusi, the organization’s Head of Investments and Funds Management.
Sawyerr expressed concern over the low number of female applicants, indicating that for every four males applying for the loans, there is only one female applicant. He referred to this 1:4 ratio as “unimpressive.” He elaborated, saying, “The NELFUND initiative is aimed at providing financial support for students in tertiary institutions, covering their tuition fees and other welfare needs.”
In conjunction with providing educational funding, Sawyerr introduced the skill acquisition aspect of the NELFUND initiative, designed to empower students through entrepreneurship training. “We are also rolling out a skills acquisition program that will cover educational fees and contribute to equipment purchases for practical training,” he noted. The program offers participating students a monthly stipend but has seen a notably lower participation from female applicants.
In order to tackle the gender imbalance in loan applications, NELFUND is actively partnering with women stakeholders to boost awareness regarding the benefits of the loan initiative. Sawyerr reminded attendees about the importance of timely loan repayment, emphasizing that it would facilitate the program’s sustainability and allow it to expand its reach to more students across federal government-owned institutions.
He clarified that the education loans are available to students in various disciplines within both federal and state-owned universities and polytechnics, while the skill acquisition funding is also extended to those beyond tertiary education.
Dr. Suwaiba Ahmed, Minister of State for Education, praised the Federal Government’s dedication to gender equity, calling on female students to capitalize on available educational opportunities. Her message was conveyed by Dr. Mufida Hussain, who urged decisive action to overcome obstacles and spotlighted government investments aimed at fostering gender-balanced initiatives to prevent financial barriers from obstructing girls’ education.
Ms. Choice Enebeli, the National President of Female Students of Nigeria, commended NELFUND for its advocacy for increased female participation in the loan program. “The rights of women are human rights, and it’s crucial that we create a landscape where women and girls can access education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership roles,” she stated. Enebeli announced her intention to lead an awareness campaign nationwide to motivate more female students to apply for the educational loan.
Mrs. Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, encouraged female students to take initiative in identifying and pursuing opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear. She emphasized the importance of proactive engagement in claiming the resources at their disposal.
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