Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari, has attributed the low enrollment of Deltans in the Federal Government’s student loan to a lack of awareness and the long-standing tradition of the state bursary system.

Speaking to The Guardian in Asaba, Tonukari explained that while the Delta State bursary scheme has been in existence for years and is widely known among students, the Federal Government’s NELFUND loan remains relatively new and underutilised.

“The state bursary scheme is an old program. Students are used to it, and even their peers who have graduated often pass down information about it,” he said.

“But this NELFund is something new. The students are not yet familiar with it, and that’s where we need to step in with more education.”

Tonukari recalled he had a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADELSTU) and university administrators to gauge the response to the NELFUND loan.

According to him, while some students at institutions like Southern Delta University, Ozoro, have started applying, the uptake is still far from ideal in other institutions.

He emphasised plans to launch a coordinated awareness campaign across all tertiary institutions in the state, including the appointment of dedicated desk officers in the offices of the deans of students.

“These officers will be tasked with sensitizing students and guiding them through the application process,” he said.

“I’m confident that once this sensitization drive is rolled out, the number of Deltan applicants for the NELFUND loan will rise significantly.”