Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, is making life easier for students applying for loans through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by suspending its policy of requiring proof of fee payment during exams.
Rector Engr. Sylvester Omoruyi announced the decision yesterday at a NELFUND sensitization event, declaring an end to the practice of barring students over unpaid fees.
“The era of driving students out during exams is over,” Omoruyi said. “Once you’ve registered on the NELFUND portal, there’s no need to present payment slips.”
Omoruyi praised President Bola Tinubu for initiating the scheme and lauded the Edo State government’s support in ensuring financial relief for students.
However, NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, expressed concern over the institution’s delay in submitting student data for loan registration.
Represented by Lami Suwaid, Director of Loan Allocation, he urged the school to act swiftly.
“We enrolled 259 institutions in 2023/2024, disbursing billions to students. But South-South and South-East institutions recorded the lowest registration rates. This must change,” Sawyerr stated.
Edo’s Education Commissioner, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, assured students of the government’s commitment, stating, “Every Edo child must have access to education. NELFUND provides a platform to achieve dreams without financial hurdles.”
