The Director, Strategic Communications of NELFUND, Oseyemi
Oluwatuyi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The statement said the milestone comes barely one year after
the programme’s launch on 24 May 2024, describing it as proof that the student
loan initiative is gaining strong national traction and public trust.

The NELFUND team stated that more than N116bn has so far
been disbursed to students across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of
education in Nigeria, covering institutional charges and upkeep allowances.

According to the Managing Director of the Fund, Akintunde
Sawyerr, the development reflects the impact of the President Bola Tinubu
Renewed Hope policy drive on access to higher education.

“Crossing the one-million mark represents more than data; it
represents renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to rise above
financial barriers to education.

“It is a testament to visionary leadership, sound policy
design, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders driving this
transformative agenda,” he said.

The Fund reiterated its commitment to continuous process
improvement to make sure “every qualified Nigerian student, regardless of
background or location, can access education funding with transparency,
efficiency, and dignity.”

It described the programme as non-discriminatory, saying it
benefits Nigerians across religions and ethnic backgrounds and is helping to
unify national aspirations through equal learning opportunities.