The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has disbursed more than ₦206 billion to students across 270 institutions nationwide within 23 months of its launch.

Since the portal opened in May 2024, NELFUND has received 1,751,669 applications, with 1,164,222 students benefiting from the scheme.

The total disbursement are as follows:

• ₦128.84 billion went directly to institutions for tuition fees.
• ₦77.45 billion was released to students as upkeep allowances.

Speaking on the programme, NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr assured that no eligible student will be barred from examinations due to financial challenges. He highlighted that the scheme is designed to cover both tuition and living expenses, making higher education more accessible to underprivileged students.

The Fund also reported 969 new applications in its latest update, marking a 0.1% increase and indicating sustained public interest and confidence in the programme.

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The Ministry was conferred with a Special Recognition Award by the SERVICOM Office, Presidency, under the #SERVICOMWORKSHERE initiative, in acknowledgement of its sustained efforts in bridging the gap between government and citizens through quality service delivery.

In addition, the Ministry emerged as the 2nd Best Performing Ministerial SERVICOM Unit (MSU) and also received commendation for maintaining high service standards.

Further demonstrating its commitment to innovation and efficiency, the Ministry secured five outstanding awards in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), reflecting its strategic use of digital tools to enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.

The awards were presented to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, during the Second Management Meeting of the first quarter of 2026. The presentation was made by the Director, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mrs. Zainab Abubakar, alongside the Assistant Director overseeing the Office of the Director, Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement Department, Mr. Yiman Innocent.

These recognitions collectively underscore the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to improving service standards, strengthening accountability, and delivering effectively on its mandate.

Speaking at the Management Meeting, the Permanent Secretary emphasised the need for all departments and staff to ensure the effective and uncompromising implementation of the Ministry’s mandate. He noted that, as a leading institution within the Federal Civil Service, the Ministry bears the responsibility of setting standards for other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to emulate.

He further urged staff to pay close attention to detail in all official duties, particularly in written communication, documentation, and administrative processes. The importance of professionalism, accuracy, and alignment in official correspondences was strongly highlighted.

Mr. Enitan also stressed the need for adequate preparation and coordination in official engagements, noting that lapses in planning and execution could negatively impact the image and efficiency of the Ministry. Departments were encouraged to improve responsiveness and ensure the timely submission of required information to support informed decision-making.

Reinforcing the principle that prevention is better than cure, the Permanent Secretary called for proactive planning and deliberate execution of responsibilities to minimise avoidable errors and inefficiencies.

Directors and departmental heads were reminded of their critical role in strengthening internal processes and ensuring their units operate efficiently, noting that any weakness within a department can affect the overall performance of the Ministry.

The Ministry further emphasised that commitment, proactiveness, accuracy of information, and deliberate action remain essential to achieving institutional goals and sustaining high performance standards.

The Federal Ministry of Education remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening its systems, enhancing service delivery, and maintaining its position as a leading institution within the Federal Civil Service.

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Inaugurating the Ministerial Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Committee, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, described the intervention as a strategic investment to strengthen practical training, innovation, and global competitiveness in Nigerian universities.

He emphasised that the allocation, dedicated strictly to engineering and technology upgrades, is separate from regular 2026 TETFund disbursements. Success, he noted, will be measured by functional facilities, improved hands-on competencies, and job-ready graduates.

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to infrastructure renewal in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Beneficiary institutions include the Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, and others.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, strict procurement compliance, and measurable outcomes in delivering the intervention.

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According to a statement posted on its official website on Monday, March 2, 2026, the sale of application documents began today and will close on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The statement reads: “2026 Direct Entry Registration: This is to inform prospective DE applicants that the sale of application documents has commenced today, Monday, 2nd March 2026, and will end on Saturday, 25th April 2026. Please note that this service can be accessed only at our offices nationwide.”

Prospective candidates are advised to obtain their application docum

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According to fresh data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting broad-based improvements across agriculture, industry, and services.

The latest figure underscores strengthening macroeconomic stability and growing investor confidence, as ongoing fiscal, monetary, and structural reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continue to gain traction. It also marks a notable acceleration from previous quarters, positioning the economy on a firmer path toward sustained growth and diversification.

The result follows the 4.23% growth recorded in Q2 2025 and represents a clear improvement from 3.76% in Q3 2024, reflecting strengthening macroeconomic stability and the impact of ongoing reforms under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sectoral Performance

Growth in Q4 2025 was broad-based across the three major sectors:

Agriculture expanded by 4.0%, up from 2.54% in Q4 2024, supported by improved security in food-producing areas and better access to inputs.

Industry grew by 3.88%, compared to 2.49% in the corresponding period of 2024, driven by improved foreign exchange liquidity, energy sector reforms, and stronger investor confidence.

Services recorded 4.15% growth, reflecting continued expansion in finance, telecommunications, trade, and technology-driven activities.

Approximately 30 subsectors recorded growth above 3%, underscoring the breadth and increasing diversification of the expansion.

Full-Year 2025 Performance

For the full year, Nigeria’s real GDP grew by 3.87%, up from 3.38% in 2024. The size of the economy increased to ₦441.5 trillion, compared to ₦372.8 trillion in 2024.

This performance reflects improved fiscal coordination, disciplined expenditure management, stronger revenue mobilisation, and continued structural reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic credibility.

The Honourable Minister noted that the data reinforces confidence among domestic and international investors and signals that Nigeria’s reform programme is gaining traction. The Ministry of Finance remains committed to sustained reform implementation, institutional coordination, and transparent engagement with stakeholders.

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In a statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, Demianus Ojijeogu, on behalf of the Registrar, the Council described the platform as a mobile and web-based application designed to provide seamless access to digital versions of original certificates.

He explained that the WAEC Digital Certificate Services System enables candidates to access, request, confirm, and securely share digital copies of their certificates with institutions worldwide.

Ojijeogu added that the platform also allows users to recover lost WAEC examination numbers, while ensuring authenticity and offering significant cost savings.

According to him, the system is secure and reliable, guarantees authenticity, and reduces the administrative bottlenecks associated with manual certificate issuance and collection.

He further assured stakeholders that the innovation will not replace the printing and issuance of physical certificates, urging the public to download the mobile application or visit the official website and social media platforms for more information.

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In a statement issued in Abuja, the Fund said it operates a structured disbursement and reconciliation framework that ensures transparency and accountability, adding that any concerns raised in media reports are being addressed through established administrative processes and due diligence.

NELFUND wishes to state clearly that, at this moment, there is no verified evidence establishing that the University of Abuja has diverted, misappropriated, or unlawfully withheld NELFUND funds,” she said.

She explained that the Fund operates a structured disbursement and reconciliation framework in line with its statutory mandate, with funds released through established institutional channels and supported by compliance mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency.

According to her, where concerns arise regarding delays in crediting students’ accounts or reconciliation processes, NELFUND engages directly with the affected institution to resolve such issues administratively and in accordance with due process.

She stressed that media allegations do not constitute established findings, noting that the Fund relies strictly on verified documentation, formal reconciliation procedures, and audit mechanisms in addressing matters relating to its disbursement processes.

Oluwatuyi reaffirmed NELFUND’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of eligible Nigerian students and ensuring that all disbursements are applied lawfully. She also pledged the Fund’s continued collaboration with partner institutions to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity in the student loan programme.

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This was disclosed in a statement issued by NABTEB’s Assistant Director, Media and Protocol, Mr. Uchechukwu Olisah, following a meeting between NABTEB Registrar, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, and his NECO counterpart, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, at NECO headquarters in Minna.

According to the statement, both chief executives led their respective management teams in discussions focused on enhancing examination administration and advancing shared institutional goals.

Mohammed stressed the need for stronger synergy among examination bodies, noting that effective collaboration is essential to national development. He described the meeting as an opportunity to renew and deepen institutional partnerships through constructive engagement.

The NABTEB Registrar also advocated broader coordination among key examination bodies, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), while recognising their distinct mandates.

In his remarks, Wushishi described the engagement as a significant step towards reinforcing cooperation between the two institutions.
He said NABTEB’s visit demonstrated strong institutional goodwill and reaffirmed NECO’s commitment to sustained collaboration.

The newly inaugurated 10-member technical committee, made up of five representatives from each organisation, is tasked with developing operational frameworks, aligning strategies and recommending implementation modalities to their respective chief executives.

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The results were released 52 days after the final paper, a timeline NECO described as part of its commitment to timely and credible assessment, according to the Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi.

He said,  96,979 candidates registered for the examination across 16 subjects, while 95,160 candidates eventually sat for the exams.

According to the results analysis, 71.63 per cent of candidates obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics. He said 78.32 per cent recorded credit passes in English Language, while 91.35 per cent earned credits in Mathematics. Overall, 86.26 per cent secured five credits and above, regardless of English and Mathematics.

On examination malpractice, Prof. Wushishi disclosed that 9,016 candidates were booked for various offences, representing a 31.7 per cent increase compared to 2024. He added that five supervisors from the FCT, Kano, Adamawa, and Ondo states were blacklisted, while four examination centres in Niger, Yobe, and Kano states were recommended for derecognition due to mass malpractice.

The examination was conducted between November 26 and December 13, 2025, while marking took place from January 5 to January 21, 2026.

Prof. Wushishi described the timely release of the results as another milestone in NECO’s commitment to credible assessments. He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for education and disclosed that states currently owe NECO less than ₦2 billion.

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