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In force · 2024 · AHERI WEG

Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024

The law that created NELFUND, so that students in public tertiary institutions can pay for school and living costs.

Key provisions

1Creates the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
2Offers loans for tuition and upkeep to students in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
3Loans carry no interest.
4Repayment starts after school and national service, once the person is earning.
5Students apply online through NELFUND.

Where it stands across Nigeria

This is a federal law. It applies in all 36 states and the FCT. About 1.64 million students had benefited by July 2026.

Abia State: The law appliesAdamawa State: The law appliesAkwa Ibom State: The law appliesAnambra State: The law appliesBauchi State: The law appliesBayelsa State: The law appliesBenue State: The law appliesBorno State: The law appliesCross River State: The law appliesDelta State: The law appliesEbonyi State: The law appliesEdo State: The law appliesEkiti State: The law appliesEnugu State: The law appliesGombe State: The law appliesImo State: The law appliesJigawa State: The law appliesKaduna State: The law appliesKano State: The law appliesKatsina State: The law appliesKebbi State: The law appliesKogi State: The law appliesKwara State: The law appliesLagos State: The law appliesNasarawa State: The law appliesNiger State: The law appliesOgun State: The law appliesOndo State: The law appliesOsun State: The law appliesOyo State: The law appliesPlateau State: The law appliesRivers State: The law appliesSokoto State: The law appliesTaraba State: The law appliesYobe State: The law appliesZamfara State: The law appliesFederal Capital Territory: The law applies
Tap or hover over a state to see its name and status.
The law applies 37 of 37
All 36 states and the FCT
The law applies (37)
What it means for you

If you are in a public tertiary institution, you may qualify. AHERI WEG helps you understand it and apply.

How AHERI uses this law

AHERI WEG explains NELFUND at Life Direction Clinics and through the Scholarship and Student Loan Navigator.

SourcesNELFUNDAHERI law tracker, last checked 28 September 2026
Ask us about this law