By Sebastine Okafor, Ph.D.
There is a recent outcry about the hike in the fees paid by most higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. The hike affects not only state-owned tertiary institutions but also federal government–owned tertiary institutions. One of the most recent increases is the 60% hike in sundry charges announced by the management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka—an announcement that triggered public outcry. It has raised questions about the interest of national leaders in the education sector, which received less than 8% of the country’s budgetary allocation between 2022 and 2025.
Aside from UNN, other universities and institutions of higher learning across the country, such as UNIMED, EKSU, Edo State University, LAUTECH, DUFUHS, and NDU, among others, have made both minor and major increases in tuition and sundry fees. This has generated calls for more investment in education from civil society organizations, foreign agencies, and other stakeholders. Many fear that students may lose interest in education if nothing is done to make it affordable.
But what many forget is that the federal government, despite a less-than-enthusiastic approach to education funding, has provided a scheme that enables every Nigerian who wants to study to do so without struggling to pay school fees. Some countries, like Germany, Norway, Denmark, Austria, France, and Brazil, charge almost zero tuition, while others, like the USA, Canada, England, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, and New Zealand, charge very high fees. This does not mean that countries with free or low fees place more interest in education. Both groups provide quality education, but the challenge of affordability remains central for students in countries like Nigeria.
In Nigeria, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024 introduced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a student loan program designed to make higher education more affordable. NELFUND was created under the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, to help students who cannot afford school fees and related costs. The program covers both tuition fees and a monthly upkeep allowance for living expenses. The loans are interest-free, meaning students only pay back the money borrowed. Repayment does not start immediately after graduation; it begins two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) or once graduates earn a stable income.
Since its launch, NELFUND has grown rapidly. By late 2025, it had disbursed over ₦116 billion in loans covering both school fees and upkeep allowances to hundreds of thousands of students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria. One of its main goals is to ensure that no Nigerian student is denied access to tertiary education because of financial constraints. Families that once struggled to pay school fees have been able to rely on the loan scheme to keep their children in school.
Despite these advantages, many Nigerian students and parents are still not taking full advantage of NELFUND. As a program under the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Support Programme (TESP), it should be welcomed by everyone, especially those whose education is at risk due to finances. The South East region is the worst affected by this lack of patronage. Recent data shows that only about 81,940 students from the South East have applied for the loan, while other regions, except the South South, had over 150,000 applicants.
Statistically, the North West has the highest number of applicants with 353,122, followed by the North East with 298,030, the South West with 280,678, the North Central with 234,814, the South South with 113,806, and the South East with 81,940. The question many ask is whether this low patronage reflects the number of tertiary institutions in the zone or is due to a lack of interest. Nigeria’s higher education institutions are unevenly spread across the six geopolitical zones. The South West has the most institutions, totaling 141 federal and state universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The North West follows with 103, while the South East has the least, only 72 institutions. The North Central has 96, the North East 84, and the South South 110. Even with fewer institutions, the South East must embrace NELFUND to ensure access to higher education.
It is important for South Eastern students to understand why NELFUND is crucial. Complaining about high fees or educational marginalization will not change the reality. The program provides a direct solution, giving students the funds needed to pay tuition and cover living expenses. By using NELFUND, students can focus on learning instead of worrying about how to pay fees. Families that once feared dropping their children from school can now plan for uninterrupted education.
Low patronage in the South East also weakens the region’s position in national education programs. If students do not utilize NELFUND, the region continues to rely on complaints rather than practical solutions. Embracing NELFUND allows the South East to catch up with other regions in terms of access to higher education, skills acquisition, and future opportunities.
Parents and students must act immediately. Applications are simple and can be completed online. Repayment is deferred, and there is no interest to worry about. NELFUND is not just a loan; it is a tool to empower students, reduce financial stress, and improve the quality of education in the South East.
South Easterners should stop focusing on school fee hikes and complaints about marginalization. NELFUND provides the means to overcome these challenges, as embracing the program can enable students to complete their education without financial burdens, develop their skills, and also contribute to the growth of the region. The success of NELFUND in the South East will show that the people of the region can take advantage of government programs to improve their future, rather than waiting for external interventions or policies that may never arrive.
