A 300-level student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Migwe Obinna Nicholas, has revealed how financial support from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) prevented him from abandoning his university education.
Key Highlights:
- A UNILAG student said NELFUND’s student loan saved him from dropping out due to financial hardship.
- He said the scheme has consistently covered his tuition, though upkeep payments have been irregular.
- Nicholas recounted facing homelessness and family challenges while pursuing his education.
- He encouraged financially challenged students to apply for the loan but urged those who can afford school fees to leave it for those in need.
- He expressed confidence in repaying the loan after graduation under NELFUND’s repayment plan.
Nicholas, who is studying theatre arts and film studies, said the government-backed student loan scheme became his lifeline after severe financial hardship threatened his academic future.
Speaking during an interview with former Big Brother Naija housemate DeeOne, shared on Instagram on Monday evening, the undergraduate recounted the challenges he has faced, including homelessness and growing up in a financially disadvantaged family.
According to him, he is the first member of his family to gain admission into a university and currently depends on NELFUND to remain in school.
“I am the only person in my family who has made it to the university. Right now, my education is being funded through the student loan. I also live in my local church because I don’t have my own accommodation,” he said.
Nicholas explained that he was born into a struggling family and relocated from Ebonyi State to Lagos at the age of eight to live with his elder sister.
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While expressing gratitude for his sister’s support over the years, he said his relationship with her family became strained after he secured admission into UNILAG.
He alleged that his brother-in-law wanted him to abandon his education and work in the family’s accessories business instead of pursuing his personal ambitions.
“I grew up in a poor home. My sister took care of me from when I was about eight years old. But after I gained admission into the University of Lagos, her husband asked me to leave because he wanted me to join his business.
“My dream was to further my education and build a career in music,” he said.
Performing under the stage name BMX Royce, Nicholas said rising tuition fees pushed him to the edge and made dropping out seem inevitable.
He disclosed that his situation changed after he successfully applied for the federal government’s student loan programme.
“I honestly thought I would have to leave school. Without the loan, I don’t know how I would have continued. It came at the right time and gave me another chance,” he said.
Nicholas noted that while NELFUND has consistently paid his tuition fees, the monthly upkeep allowance has not been released regularly.
He explained that beneficiaries are eligible to apply for both tuition support and a monthly stipend of ₦20,000.
“They settled my school fees, which I’m grateful for. I received the upkeep allowance for about three months before it stopped. This session, my tuition has been paid again, but I’ve only received one stipend so far,” he said.
Despite the irregularity in the upkeep payments, the student said his priority remains completing his education.
“As long as my school fees are paid and I’m able to register for my courses, I’m thankful. The stipend would help, but the tuition support is the most important part,” he added.
Nicholas described the loan application process as simple and encouraged financially challenged students to take advantage of the programme.
He explained that applicants only need to register on the NELFUND portal using their email address and institutional details before verification is carried out.
However, he advised students whose parents or guardians can comfortably fund their education not to apply unnecessarily.
“If your family can sponsor your education, then leave the opportunity for those who truly need it. But for people in situations like mine, this loan can change everything,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that repaying the loan after graduation would not be a problem, noting that beneficiaries are given a repayment window after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“They gave us two years after NYSC before repayment begins. I believe that by then I’ll be in a position to pay because I’m working towards my future,” he said.
