NELFUND Chief Akintunde Sawyerr Engages University Registrars to Streamline Student Loan Data Verification

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, has hosted the leadership of the Association of Registrars of Nigeria Universities (ARNU) in a strategic engagement aimed at deepening awareness and strengthening collaboration on the implementation of the student loan scheme.

The meeting, held on Thursday 19th February, 2026 in Abuja, focused on key areas of partnership between NELFUND and tertiary institutions, particularly streamlined student data verification and expanded loan awareness through established university communication networks.

Sawyerr, in his remarks, described Registrars as critical stakeholders in the successful rollout of the loan programme, noting that their offices serve as custodians of accurate student records and institutional data.

He emphasized that seamless verification of applicants’ academic status and admission records remains central to ensuring transparency, efficiency and timely disbursement of loans to eligible students.

“Our collaboration with university Registrars is pivotal. Accurate and prompt data verification not only protects the integrity of the scheme but also guarantees that funds reach the right beneficiaries without unnecessary delays,” Sawyerr said.

The NELFUND boss further highlighted the need to leverage university platforms, including student portals, orientation programmes, faculty notice boards and alumni networks to expand awareness about the loan scheme, its eligibility criteria and application procedures.

According to him, many eligible students are yet to take advantage of the initiative due to limited information or misconceptions about the scheme.

He reiterated that the student loan programme, established under the directive of President Bola Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to remove financial barriers to tertiary education and promote equal access to learning opportunities across Nigeria.

Sawyerr assured ARNU that NELFUND is committed to continuous stakeholder engagement and technological upgrades to improve service delivery.

He noted that the Fund is working toward a more integrated digital ecosystem that will harmonise institutional data systems with its loan management platform.

With growing applications and increasing institutional participation, NELFUND expressed optimism that stronger collaboration with university registrars will significantly enhance the scheme’s reach and impact in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

ARNU commended Sawyerr for initiating direct engagement with Registrars, describing the forum as timely and necessary for aligning institutional processes with the Fund’s operational framework.

The engagement forms part of NELFUND’s broader nationwide outreach strategy to build trust, ensure compliance and foster institutional ownership of the student loan initiative.

Also in attendance were the Director, Loan Allocation, NELFUND, Hajjia Lamin Suwaid; Director, Human Resources, Dr. Zino Ugboma; Director, Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi; Deputy Director, Loan Allocation and Assistant Director, Planning, Research and Statistics Distribution, Ms. Theodora Azinge and Mr. Martins Obaje.