As 2025 comes to a close, Nigeria’s education sector has seen significant government initiatives aimed at improving access, equity, and quality. Major highlights include the expansion of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), increased funding through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and ongoing scholarship programs like the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) awards. These efforts address rising costs and barriers to higher education amid economic challenges.
Students across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have benefited from disbursements and awards.
NELFUND Student Loan Scheme: A Milestone Year
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has been a cornerstone of education support in 2025. Launched to provide interest-free loans, the scheme surpassed one million applications by November, with over N116 billion disbursed for tuition and upkeep allowances.
The portal for the 2025/2026 session opened in October, running until January 2026, allowing new and returning students to apply. Updates included aligning disbursements with institutional academic calendars to prevent overlaps and ensure transparency.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration emphasized equity, making the program accessible across religious and ethnic lines.
NELFund warns against fake student loan site
TETFund Boosts Tertiary Infrastructure and Research
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) received a record N940.5 billion allocation in the 2025 budget, focusing on infrastructure rehabilitation, research, and skills development. Funds prioritized renovating hostels, laboratories, and workshops rather than new constructions.
TETFund launched the TERAS digital platform for e-learning and administration, and allocated resources for mini-grid energy solutions and medical training.
President Tinubu approved N4.2 billion for 158 research projects, underscoring innovation support.
Scholarships and International Opportunities
The Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship for 2025/2026 offered fully funded undergraduate and postgraduate studies abroad in countries like Russia, Hungary, Morocco, and China. Applications closed in January 2025, with mandatory language courses for non-English speaking destinations.
Domestic scholarships included NGO-funded programs like SHE Soars for female students and various state initiatives.
Campus life continued vibrantly, with matriculations and events highlighting student resilience.
Outlook for 2026
With ongoing disbursements and new application cycles, these supports aim to reduce financial barriers and build human capital. Challenges like verification delays persist, but increased funding signals commitment to equitable education access in Nigeria. Students are encouraged to check official portals for updates.
