NELFUND Broadens Scope, to Fund Vocational Training Under Loan Scheme
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced plans to widen its loan programme to include vocational and technical skills training, a move aimed at boosting employability and supporting trades-based education across the country.
The expansion will enable apprentices, trainees and students enrolled in accredited vocational centres to access interest-free loans previously limited to traditional tertiary students.
The agency said the initiative is part of a strategic push to rebalance Nigeria’s human-capital development by recognising the value of technical competence alongside academic credentials.
NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr has signalled that the rollout will begin with pilot activities in selected states and will scale up to cover many more training centres in coming months.
Officials revealed that the Fund has already disbursed substantial sums under its existing programmes this year, underscoring the government’s commitment to making education finance more accessible. Recent figures show NELFUND distributed billions in institutional fees and upkeep allowances to students, and managers say resources have been set aside to support the new vocational window.
Under the planned arrangement, beneficiaries at recognised vocational and technical institutions will be able to apply for loans that cover tuition and, in some cases, tools and starter kits items essential for trades such as plumbing, welding, digital skills, tailoring and electrical installation. NELFUND has indicated the product will be administered in partnership with state governments and approved training providers to ensure quality and accountability.
Policy analysts say the move could help close the skills gap and provide a credible conduit from training to employment if coupled with market-driven curricula and strong post-training linkages. To that end, NELFUND has explored complementary measures including job portals and placement support for loan recipients to improve transition into formal or informal work. Observers note that without robust certification and employer engagement, financing alone may not guarantee sustainable livelihoods.
NELFUND’s vocational loan plan comes amid broader national conversations about Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a lever for youth empowerment. Student bodies and labour groups have generally welcomed increased access to finance for skills acquisition while urging transparent eligibility rules and timely disbursements. The Fund has pledged to publish application guidelines and eligibility criteria ahead of the national rollout to ensure clarity for potential applicants.
As the pilot phase gets underway, stakeholders from training providers to state actors will be watching closely to see whether the programme can deliver practical, measurable outcomes: more certified tradespeople, stronger linkages to employers and a credible pathway from training to income generation for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
