Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the Federal Government’s most significant social intervention programmes, saying it is breaking financial barriers that have prevented thousands of young Nigerians from accessing higher education.

Shettima made the remarks while speaking on the impact of the student loan initiative, stressing that the programme goes beyond education financing to serve as a tool for social equality and poverty reduction.

According to the Vice President, NELFUND is helping students from low-income families pursue university and tertiary education without the burden of upfront tuition payments.

He said the scheme was deliberately designed to ensure that no qualified Nigerian is denied access to higher education because of financial hardship.

“Education remains the greatest weapon against poverty. NELFUND is creating opportunities for young Nigerians to fulfil their academic aspirations regardless of their economic background,” Shettima said.

The Vice President noted that the fund covers both institutional tuition and upkeep allowances for eligible beneficiaries, providing support for academic and living expenses throughout their studies.

He described the initiative as a social equaliser capable of narrowing inequality by giving students from disadvantaged communities the same opportunity to compete with their peers.

NELFUND was established under the Student Loans Act as the Federal Government’s flagship higher education financing programme, replacing previous efforts with a more structured and sustainable model for supporting students across public tertiary institutions.

Since the scheme commenced operations, thousands of students have applied for and received financial support, with the fund processing tuition payments directly to institutions while disbursing upkeep allowances to successful applicants.

Shettima said the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda of investing in human capital development and expanding access to quality education across Nigeria.

He added that empowering young people through education would strengthen the country’s workforce, reduce unemployment and contribute to long-term national development.

The Vice President also urged eligible students to take advantage of the opportunity, saying the success of the programme would depend on transparency, accountability and the responsible management of public resources.

The Federal Government has continued to position NELFUND as a cornerstone of its education reforms, with officials maintaining that the initiative is intended to ensure that financial circumstances no longer determine who can access higher education in Nigeria.