CLEMENT IDOKO, writes on the apprehension of some students in taking the loans from the Nigerian  Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in spite of its inherent benefits, concluding that more has to be done to make the process seamless for students.

RAKAYAT Wasiu, almost gave up on her dream and contemplated dropping out of school as a result of the difficulty she faces every day during her 100-level study for a degree in accounting at the prestigious University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Miss Wasiu, being an orphan, has to contend with so many things, including the high cost of accommodation, the increment in tuition and other charges by the university, the high cost of food items, and transportation, among others. All that, coupled with family challenges, were to force her to discontinue her  education after her 100th grade.

She, however, told the Nigerian Tribune that the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come as a divine intervention, encouraging her to remain in school to continue with her education. According to Miss Wasiu, her tuition  for 200 Level were paid by NELFUND directly to the university’s accounts as institutional fees, while money for upkeep was paid to her personal account.

“When I heard about student loan, initially, I didn’t think it was a reality but my desperation for alternative source of funding made me to immediately apply for the loan soon after it was launched by the government and was announced by  the university. I was excited when I heard that it was an interest-free loan and that there would be money for upkeep not just payment of school fees. I felt within me that NELFUND has come to the rescue. I saw the creation of the Fund as a avenue to allow me continue my education  though many of my friends and students around did not believe in it. The story changed when I received the first alert of N20,000.00 for upkeep, it was then that I also confirmed that the tuition has been paid directly to the university. “