A final-year student of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), King Jack, has gone viral online.
He recently sparked widespread conversations on X after flaunting a sign-out photo that showed him rocking a white shirt with a “Thank You NELFUND” message inscribed on it.
The shirt was filled with the signatures of other students, who took turns to congratulate themselves on the completion of their studies.
What started as King Jack’s thoughtful appreciation is currently a trend on social media, with several Nigerians coming online to hail the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) programme, launched a year ago by President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Alongside the photo of King Jack’s gratitude to the Federal Government, Akwa Ibom Hypeman @romeocza wrote, “I like this guy. Signed out of UniUyo and appreciated NELFUND, that’s a W (wow) for the student loan programme of President Tinubu. I thought they said it was a scam.”
Reacting, Foundational Nupe Lawyer used his X handle, @egi_nupe, to urge employers to reach out to King Jack for employment. “NELFUND should give that guy automatic employment, if they have a role for him. Takes a good mind to acknowledge such an initiative that’s widely condemned,” Nupe wrote.
Also reacting, Ayooluwa Phillip disclosed that since the student loan was launched, the regular tradition of undergraduates coming together to contribute money for fellow students in need has ended. “Sir, school fees’ contribution for students who couldn’t pay disappeared in my department when NELFUND came. A guy had to start from 200L again as his colleagues graduate because of school fees. I know generations will remember PBAT. We’re quiet for now. I can die for that man,” he stated.
Another Nigerian, @EmmanuelJo59434, posted, “Well, I guess that’s one thing this administration has done right. I applied for my younger sister doing (studying) nursing in BUK, and she has been getting the tuition fees and upkeep allowance since 2024, it’s real.”
Ashir A.A @Abdull155128421 emphasised that his fellow citizens need to appreciate the FG’s good work for students. “God bless you, as you talk truth now shey you die? Hell no… People need to acknowledge the good work; we don’t have to always concentrate on the bad. Nation building is a gradual process. Nigeria will be great!!!”
Reiterating that the student loan is not a scam, NaijaDentist @kayode_MK added, “Nearly 400,000 students have already benefitted from the student loan scheme (NELFUND), with over N77bn disbursed for tuition and upkeep.”
President Tinubu launched the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2024, tagging it a government initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The scheme offers interest-free loans to eligible students to cover tuition fees and upkeep allowances.
NELFUND simply aims to ensure the financial burden on Nigerian students is lessened as it commits to empowering the future generation.
Since its launch on the 24th of May, 2024, more than N77 billion has been disbursed as tuition fees and monthly upkeep allowance to 396,252 students in 210 tertiary institutions across the nation’s 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NELFUND student loan initiative is a source of hope for millions of Nigerian youths seeking higher education.
