In a major boost to student financial access and support, 91 students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (FCAIB) have successfully received a total of ₦19,540,000 under the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme.

The disbursement, which marks a significant achievement under the leadership of the college’s Provost, Professor Jonathan J. Atungwu, underscores the institution’s commitment to improving access to higher education, especially for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The funds were released following a sensitisation and awareness programme held on August 29, 2025, designed to guide students through the objectives, application process, and benefits of the NELFUND scheme. The loan programme is a Federal Government intervention established by the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

According to Barrister Elum, the college’s NELFUND liaison officer, over 600 students were uploaded to the NELFUND portal. Of these, 92 applications were successfully processed, 91 were approved, and a total amount of ₦19.54 million was disbursed in full to the eligible beneficiaries.
He also emphasised the importance of transparency and accuracy during the application process, walking participants through the eligibility criteria, registration process, and repayment structure of the loan.

Speaking at the sensitisation programme, the immediate past Students’ Union President, Comrade Pelumi Folarin, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and NELFUND for their efforts in making higher education more accessible.
“This intervention has brought hope to many students who otherwise would have struggled to continue their education. We are thankful to the government and to the College Management for facilitating this opportunity,” he said.

The event was attended by key members of the college management team, including the Deputy Provost (Administration), Deputy Provost (Academic), Registrar, Head of Bursary, Director of Audit, Deans of Schools, and the Dean of Student Affairs. Their presence signified the college’s unwavering support for initiatives that promote student welfare and academic success.
In a statement, the college lauded the Federal Government for implementing such a timely and impactful scheme.

“This milestone will go a long way in alleviating the financial burdens faced by many of our students. We are grateful to NELFUND and optimistic that the initiative will be sustained and extended to benefit more indigent students across tertiary institutions nationwide,” the statement read.