Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Students Benefit from Tinubu’s NELFUND Scholarship Scheme as University Secures ₦91.8m Disbursement
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) has secured another round of financial relief for its students, receiving ₦91,806,278 from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to cover tuition for 516 students in the 2024/2025 academic session.
The latest tranche brings the university’s total tuition support from NELFUND this session to ₦132,518,998, following an earlier ₦40,712,720 disbursement. This figure does not include upkeep stipends, which are processed separately.
For many students across the Igbariam and Uli campuses, the funds represent more than just an entry on a bursary ledger. They mean continuity—one more semester secured, one more step toward graduation.
One 300-level Education student explained that she had already begun preparing to withdraw for the semester until the NELFUND approval came through, describing the support as a lifeline that steadied her future.
Established to widen access to higher education financing, NELFUND covers tuition fees and offers a monthly upkeep allowance for students who opt in. The upkeep scheme—set at ₦20,000 per month (about ₦250,000 yearly)—helps students meet living expenses such as food, transportation, and study needs.
Funds are disbursed in two streams:
- Tuition fees go directly to university bursaries.
- Upkeep stipends are sent to students’ bank accounts, aligned with their academic sessions.
This design ensures that students are not only enrolled but also supported to stay the course.
The impact of NELFUND at COOU is evident in student stories:
- A Management Sciences student said she sold almost everything she owned last semester to keep up, but broke down in relief when NELFUND cleared her fees.
- An Engineering student shared that his father, a keke driver, had advised him to suspend his studies for a semester until NELFUND kept him in class.
- A Law student noted that with upkeep payments, she was able to move to a safer hostel, which boosted her performance.
These voices echo across campus, reinforcing the scheme’s role in easing dropout risks and sustaining academic momentum.
COOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha has emphasized the university’s commitment to ensuring equitable access. By channeling funds directly to the bursary, NELFUND stabilizes enrollment, secures exam eligibility, and reassures students that their education is financially bankable.
The institution has urged students to apply only through the official portal (portal.nelf.gov.ng) and avoid unofficial shortcuts that lead to delays or fraud.
While tuition support keeps students on the books, upkeep ensures they can actually participate in learning. Rising transport fares, food inflation, and digital learning costs often outweigh tuition itself.
As one Social Sciences student put it: even if tuition is covered, without transport money or data, attending lectures and completing assignments becomes impossible.
NELFUND’s upkeep allowance addresses this gap, though some delays in disbursement have sparked anxiety among students. In 2025, the Fund clarified that upkeep payments would strictly follow academic calendars to ensure efficiency.
Nationally, NELFUND has disbursed tens of billions of naira to nearly 200 institutions by mid-2025. With its interest-free loans, two-year post-NYSC repayment window, and digital application system, the scheme is designed to reduce financial exclusion and build a foundation for long-term economic productivity.
Still, challenges remain: communication lapses, bureaucratic delays, and questions about sustainability. Education analysts stress that timely updates, tighter verification processes, and stronger governance will determine the scheme’s long-term success.
For COOU, the ₦91.8 million injection is a lifeline for 516 students today. But in the bigger picture, it is part of a ladder Nigeria is building—one that allows students to climb toward their future without being crushed by financial strain.
If universities, NELFUND, and students keep working in sync—through transparent disbursements, early applications, and responsible repayment—the vision of a sustainable student-financing system by 2030 is within reach.