The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed ₦1,475,305,300 to 6,076 beneficiaries at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, in a move expected to impact Nigeria’s future SME landscape.
Officials explained that beyond easing the financial burden on students, the fund is designed to nurture future entrepreneurs and SME owners by ensuring access to education without financial disruption. By securing this support, students can focus on acquiring skills and innovation needed to drive small business development after graduation.
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Stakeholders say the initiative is a strategic investment in human capital development, which will feed directly into Nigeria’s SME sector — the country’s largest employer of labour.
Beneficiaries who gain financial stability during their studies are more likely to transition into entrepreneurship, startups, and SME-led ventures, strengthening the economy in the long term.
