Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed more than N1.08 billion to support 5,381 nursing and midwifery students across 21 federal and state institutions in Nigeria.
The intervention has expanded sharply over the past three academic sessions, with funding increasing from N59.4 million in 2023/2024 to N205.8 million in 2024/2025 and N811.9 million in 2025/2026.
In a statement on Sunday, beneficiaries are enrolled in nursing and midwifery institutions across Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Katsina, Kebbi, Cross River, Bauchi, Anambra, Kaduna, Taraba and Zamfara states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
NELFUND Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, said the intervention was designed to reduce financial barriers that could prevent young Nigerians from completing their professional training.
“NELFUND is not simply providing financial assistance to students; we are investing in the human capital that Nigeria needs to move forward,” he said.
Sawyerr said the funding would help eligible students continue their education despite financial challenges.
The NELFUND boss noted that the majority of beneficiaries under the nursing and midwifery intervention were young women.
He said supporting their education could improve their access to professional opportunities and economic independence.
The Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Mustapha Iyal, said the Fund would continue to focus on providing financial support to eligible students in a timely manner.
NELFUND said the intervention forms part of its broader mandate to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent eligible Nigerians from accessing or completing higher education.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Korede Abdullah