Senate Orders Investigation Into NELFUND, Extends Probe by Three Weeks

Senate Orders Investigation Into NELFUND, Extends Probe by Three Weeks

The Senate has expanded its ongoing investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) to include the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a move that will allow lawmakers to examine how the student loan scheme is being managed and implemented.

The decision was reached during plenary after members of the Senate approved a motion presented by the Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

The Senate also approved an additional three weeks for the committee to complete its assignment and submit its report.

Senate Investigates NELFUND

Senator Kalu told lawmakers that the committee’s work so far showed that several government agencies are connected to the implementation of programmes designed to support education and students across the country.

He said investigating only the Safe Schools Initiative would not provide enough information about how education intervention funds are being managed. As a result, the committee requested permission to widen its assignment to include other agencies involved in education financing and student support.

The request was approved by the Senate through a voice vote presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

What the Investigation Will Cover

As part of the expanded assignment, the committee will review different areas of NELFUND’s operations.

These include:

• The student loan disbursement process.
• Administrative procedures within the agency.
• How students access the loan scheme.
• Challenges affecting the implementation of the programme.

The investigation will also cover the activities of other government agencies, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

Lawmakers will also examine TETFund’s security and infrastructure projects in tertiary institutions as well as UBEC’s interventions in the basic education sector.

Why the Committee Requested More Time

According to Senator Kalu, the committee has not completed some important parts of its work.

He explained that members still need to visit some institutions and gather additional information before preparing their final report.

To allow the committee complete those activities, the Senate granted a three-week extension.

The committee is expected to present its findings after the investigation is concluded.

What This Means for NELFUND Beneficiaries

The Senate’s decision to investigate NELFUND does not mean the agency has been found guilty of wrongdoing.

Instead, lawmakers want to understand how the student loan programme is being implemented, whether eligible students are able to access it without unnecessary difficulties, and whether the system is working as intended.

The review is also expected to look at how quickly approved loans are disbursed and whether there are areas that need improvement.

The outcome of the investigation could influence future decisions on the administration of the student loan scheme and other education intervention programmes.

Students who have applied for the NELFUND loan, as well as those planning to apply, are expected to follow the outcome of the committee’s report closely.

For more student loan updates, read our NELFUND Latest Update Today, July 22, 2026, where we cover the latest developments, including concerns raised by UNILORIN students over school fee payments and the latest information on upkeep allowance disbursements.