The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the disbursement of over ₦1.08 billion to support the education of 5,381 nursing students and midwives across various institutions in Nigeria. This funding initiative spans 21 federal and state institutions, marking a significant increase in financial support for nursing and midwifery education over the past three academic sessions.

In a statement released on Sunday, NELFUND's Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, highlighted the remarkable growth in funding, which surged from ₦59.4 million in the 2023/2024 academic year to ₦205.8 million in 2024/2025, and further to ₦811.9 million in the current 2025/2026 session. This represents an almost 14-fold increase in financial assistance for nursing and midwifery students within the specified period.

The beneficiaries of this funding are drawn from various nursing institutions across the country, including notable colleges such as the Oyo State College of Nursing, Shehu Sule College of Nursing, and Lagos State College of Nursing, among others located in states like Ogun, Katsina, Kebbi, Cross River, Bauchi, Anambra, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFUND, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond mere financial assistance. He stated, "NELFUND is not simply providing financial assistance to students; we are investing in the human capital that Nigeria needs to move forward. Every student we keep in school represents a future professional, a future healthcare worker, and a potential contributor to the development of our nation."

Sawyerr further explained that the increase in funding reflects the positive impact of alleviating financial barriers for young Nigerians aspiring to obtain professional qualifications. He noted that the rise in funding from ₦59.4 million to ₦811.9 million over three academic sessions illustrates the potential opportunities created when financial constraints are removed for determined students.

The initiative is particularly significant as it predominantly supports young women pursuing careers in nursing and midwifery, providing them with access to professional opportunities and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's healthcare system. Mr. Mustapha Iyal, Executive Director of Operations at NELFUND, reaffirmed the Fund's commitment to ensuring timely and efficient delivery of financial support to eligible students, stating, "Our focus remains on ensuring the seamless and timely delivery of support to eligible students, so that more young Nigerians can obtain the skills and qualifications the country needs."

The NELFUND initiative aligns with its broader mandate to ensure that financial circumstances do not hinder eligible Nigerians from accessing and completing higher education. With the demand for student financing on the rise, NELFUND aims to expand access while ensuring that its interventions translate into meaningful opportunities for beneficiaries and the nation as a whole.