NELFUND to Introduce Software for Students with Disabilities

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is set to introduce specialized software to ensure that students with disabilities in higher institutions can fully access its loan scheme.

Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement on student loans in Benin City, Edo State. He emphasized that the initiative is aimed at promoting inclusivity, particularly for students with visual impairments and other disabilities, by making the loan application process more accessible.

“We want to see how we can make it easier for those who are visually impaired so that they can apply for the loan without challenges. We are working on specific software that will support this goal,” Sawyerr stated.

NELFUND is also collaborating with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure that the loan scheme is accessible to all eligible students, regardless of physical limitations.

Additionally, Sawyerr clarified concerns about loan repayment, stating that if a beneficiary passes away, the loan will not be transferred to their family or next of kin but will instead be completely written off.

The initiative aligns with the federal government’s commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable for all Nigerian students, including those with disabilities.