The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed that male students are applying for the Federal Government’s zero-interest education loans at a significantly higher rate than female students, with a 4:1 ratio. The agency is now encouraging more female students to take advantage of the initiative to bridge this gap.
Speaking at the NELFUND Women Forum Programme in Abuja on Monday, as part of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, represented by the Head of Investments and Funds Management, Ms. Oluwatosin Sanusi, expressed concern over the low female participation.
He described the current ratio as unimpressive, emphasizing that the loan program is designed to cover tuition and welfare for students in tertiary institutions.
Beyond funding education, Sawyerr highlighted the skill acquisition component of the initiative, which provides students with entrepreneurship training and financial support for purchasing necessary equipment. He noted that participants in the program receive a monthly stipend but lamented that fewer women were taking advantage of this opportunity.
To increase female participation, NELFUND is partnering with women stakeholders to raise awareness of the initiative’s benefits. Sawyerr also stressed that timely loan repayment is essential for the program’s sustainability and expansion, ensuring more students in government-owned institutions can benefit.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmed, represented by Dr. Mufida Hussain, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to gender equity and urged female students to seize available educational opportunities. She called for bold action to break barriers, emphasizing that financial constraints should not hinder girls’ education.
The National President of Female Students of Nigeria, Ms. Choice Enebeli, praised NELFUND’s efforts to encourage female applications, affirming that women’s rights are human rights. She pledged to lead a nationwide awareness campaign to boost female participation in the loan program.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Mrs. Chioma Nweze, urged female students to be proactive in seeking opportunities rather than waiting for them. She emphasized the importance of taking initiative and maximizing available resources to secure a brighter future.
