Dr. Zino Ugboma, Director of Administration at the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has reiterated the agency’s commitment to expanding access to higher education funding, as new data shows significant disbursements to institutions across the South-South, including Delta State.
This comes amid reactions to claims downplaying the impact of the NELFUND sensitization visit facilitated by the Member representing Isoko North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko.
A disbursement record as of April 4, 2026, indicates that billions of naira have been paid directly to tertiary institutions in the South-South geopolitical zone, covering thousands of students under the scheme.
In Delta State alone, several institutions recorded notable payments. Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka received over ₦1.44 billion for about 8,000 students, while the University of Delta, Agbor got over ₦1.12 billion. Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba also benefited with over ₦851 million disbursed.
Other institutions in the state include the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), which received more than ₦434 million, Southern Delta University, Ozoro with over ₦299 million, and the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, which got over ₦30 million.
Additional beneficiaries include Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku with about ₦2.97 million, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun with over ₦24 million, and Delta State Maritime Polytechnic Burutu, among others.
Across the entire South-South region, the total disbursement captured in the report stands at over ₦17.66 billion, benefiting approximately 146,577 students in various tertiary institutions.
Responding to criticisms, Dr Ugboma who is a stakeholder familiar with the sensitization exercise emphasized that while awareness of the scheme existed prior to the intervention, participation significantly increased following the visit to institutions in Isoko.
“The truth is that the numbers improved tremendously after the visit. Many students who were previously unaware or unsure about the application process became active participants,” the source stated.
He further highlighted the real-life impact of the scheme, citing a case at DELSU Oleh campus where a student who had dropped out due to financial constraints returned after three years.
“During the interaction, the student broke down in tears, and this moved the Managing Director of NELFUND to personally offset outstanding school fees exceeding ₦500,000. That is just one of many verifiable benefits,” the source added.
The intervention facilitated by Hon. Ukodhiko, with support from community figures including Pastor Elueni and Ikodudu Ayo Kingsley, has been described as timely and impactful.
He noted that legislative efforts to bring federal social intervention programmes closer to constituents should be encouraged, particularly in regions where many students face financial barriers to education.
With growing enrollment in the NELFUND scheme and sustained disbursements to institutions, Ugboma remarked that continued sensitization will remain critical to ensuring that more eligible students benefit from the initiative.
