How to apply for a student loan in Nigeria

Students in federal government-owned tertiary institutions will be the first batch of beneficiaries of the student loan scheme.

Newstrends reports that President Tinubu on April 3 signed into law the bill on the scheme in line with his electoral promise that no Nigerian student would drop out of school on account of lack of funds.

Applying for a student loan can be a daunting task, especially with the numerous forms and requirements involved.

However, with the right guidance, the process can be a smooth and straightforward one. In this essay, we will explore the step-by-step process of applying for a student loan, specifically through the NELFUND platform.

Here is how to apply for a student loan in Nigeria

1. The first step in applying for a student loan through NELFUND is to log into the loan application portal on the NELFUND website (www.nelf.gov.ng).

2. Once on the website, navigate to the student loan portal and create an account or log in if you already have an existing account. Creating an account is essential as it allows you to save your progress and access your application at any time.

3. Once you have logged into the portal, you will be required to provide certain documents to complete your application. These documents typically include:

• Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) admission letter,
• National Identification Number (NIN),
• Bank Verification Number (BVN).

These documents are necessary to verify your identity, academic status, and financial need, which are crucial factors in determining your eligibility for a student loan.

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4. After gathering all the necessary documents, you can proceed to fill out the loan application form. The form will require you to provide personal details such as your name, contact information, and date of birth, as well as academic information like your course of study, institution, and level of study. Additionally, you will need to provide details about your financial need, including information about your income, expenses, and any other sources of funding you may have.

5. After completing the application form, it is essential to review it thoroughly before submitting it. Check for any errors or missing information and make sure all the required documents are attached. Once you are satisfied with your application, you can submit it through the portal.

6. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email from NELFUND with further instructions. This email may contain details about the next steps in the application process, such as providing additional documentation or attending an interview. It is crucial to follow these instructions promptly to ensure that your application is processed efficiently.

Applying for a student loan through NELFUND can be a straightforward process if you follow the steps outlined above. By logging into the loan application portal, creating an account, providing the necessary documents, completing the application form, and submitting it, you can increase your chances of securing the financial assistance you need to pursue your education.

Remember to review your application carefully and follow any instructions given to you by NELFUND to ensure a smooth application process.

How to apply for a student loan in Nigeria

Don’t fuel Rivers crisis, Edwin Clark tells APC, PDP

Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, has warned against the two political parties fueling the crisis in Rivers State.

He also accused Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of sowing a seed of discord against Governor Sim Fubara of the state.

Insecurity: How to make state police effective, by Senate leader

Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele,  has said that the establishment of state police will go a long way to addressing the insecurity across the country.

Bamidele, who stated this in Abuja on Monday in a statement issued by his media office described the current state of policing in Nigeria as “ailing and dysfunctional.”

The statement read in part, “We must admit that the system can no longer guarantee the dignity of human lives and the security of collective assets considering our security dynamics in the Fourth Republic.

“The proposal for the creation of state police has been a subject of intense debate in the last decade or more.

“This, in part, can be attributed to the rise of armed attacks orchestrated by diverse interests either pursuing divisive agendas or seeking predatory ends in virtually all geopolitical zones,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria, one of the world’s fastest-growing nations in terms of population, could not continue to operate a centralised policing system.

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“Such a policing model cannot meaningfully address existential threats to our internal cohesion and stability. Unlike in 1979, when we had a population of 70.75 million, Nigeria is now a federation of about 229 million people and is currently the world’s sixth-biggest country.

“This is as shown in the demographic data of the United Nations. Contrarily, as revealed in the recent presentation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria has a police-citizen ratio of one to 650.

“This ratio is a far cry from a ratio of one to 460, which, according to the United Nations, is a minimum requirement for every sovereign state or territory worldwide,” the Senate leader said.

The lawmaker further noted that the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution would allow stakeholders to interrogate the nation’s security framework and take a position on the desirability or otherwise of state police in the country.

“We must go about it (state police) with a clear sense of self-realisation. We must, first and foremost, realise that the present police system is ailing and dysfunctional.

“We must also admit that the system can no longer guarantee the dignity of human lives or the security of collective assets.

“With this admission, it is evident that the option of adopting state police is no doubt inevitable as an antidote to the diverse security challenges that threaten us as a federation,” he said.

The Senate leader further said that as the debate for a more efficient police model continued, the National Assembly was under obligation to provide a legal framework with clearly defined preconditions.

“Sub-national governments must conform to the preconditions before establishing their policing formation. The role of all 36 state Houses of Assembly is equally indispensable in the quest to adopt the decentralised police system,” he said.

The bill for the establishment of the state police is currently in the National Assembly. In February, the House of Representatives passed the bill for the second reading.

The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu and 14 others, seeks to alter the relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for states to establish their policing outfits.

Insecurity: How to make state police effective, by Senate leader

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