NELFUND Suspends Upkeep Loan During Holidays: Nigerian Students Express Frustration
 |
NELFUND Suspends Upkeep Loan During Holidays |
Nigerian students are protesting as NELFUND suspends upkeep loan payments during holidays, sparking concerns over financial struggles and accountability.
NELFUND’s New Policy on Student Loans
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a major adjustment to its student loan scheme, suspending upkeep loan disbursements during school holidays. According to the directive, upkeep payments will now be strictly tied to the academic calendar of each institution.
This means that once a university or polytechnic concludes its session, students will no longer receive their monthly upkeep allowance until the new academic session begins. To continue accessing both tuition and upkeep, students must reapply for the loan at the start of every new session.
For background on how the scheme works, you can visit the official NELFUND portal.
Why NELFUND Suspended Holiday Upkeep Allowances
According to NELFUND, this new policy aims to:
- Ensure accountability and transparency in student loan management.
- Prevent discrepancies between payments and academic activities.
- Align disbursements more effectively with each institution’s academic calendar.
However, while the policy is positioned as a measure for better financial control, many students see it as a move that increases their hardship.
Nigerian Students React to the Suspension
Students across universities have voiced their disappointment and concern over the suspension of upkeep payments during holidays.
At Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), a 400-level student, Cletus Tser, described the situation as unfair:
“A lot of us depend on the upkeep loan to survive, but NELFUND is making things tougher. The money is a loan, not free. We know we will refund it, so why stop paying during semester breaks when we still have needs?”
He also complained about discrepancies on his student dashboard, which showed higher loan amounts than he had received:
“I can’t pay back what I didn’t collect. It’s unfair.”
Similarly, a student at Bayero University, Kano, who requested anonymity, criticized the policy for ignoring students engaged in SIWES, industrial training, or teaching practice during holidays:
“Many have to travel for internships. How do you expect them to cope without upkeep? Some haven’t even received a kobo since semester one, yet payments are being stopped.”
Impact on Nigerian Students
The upkeep allowance in the NELFUND student loan scheme provides an average of ₦20,000 monthly to help students with:
- Feeding and accommodation
- Transportation
- Personal expenses during their study
Unlike tuition fees, which are paid directly to institutions, upkeep payments go directly to students’ accounts.
So far, NELFUND has disbursed over ₦12 billion in upkeep allowances across Nigeria. However, the suspension of holiday payments has left many worried about:
- Rising inflation and the cost of living
- Inability to cover expenses during industrial training (IT) or internships
- Financial instability for students who depend solely on upkeep allowances
What This Means for Students
For many students, this policy signals a need to:
- Budget more effectively to cover school breaks.
- Explore part-time work or side hustles during holidays.
- Stay updated with changes on the NELFUND application portal.
While NELFUND argues that the suspension ensures transparency, students believe it undermines the very purpose of the scheme, which is to support their survival throughout their academic journey.
The suspension of upkeep loans during holidays by NELFUND has sparked nationwide debate among Nigerian students. While the Fund insists it is an accountability measure, many argue that it fails to reflect the real-life challenges students face—especially those engaged in internships, SIWES, or extended academic activities outside the main session.
With over ₦12 billion already disbursed, the student loan program remains a lifeline for thousands of Nigerian youths. However, unless NELFUND revisits this new directive, students may continue to struggle with increased financial burdens during school breaks.
For more updates on Nigerian financial policies and education funding, you can check resources like Leadership News and official statements from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
