—Ogene Romanus Chizoba
September 12, 2026
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has channelled more than ₦1.08 billion into nursing and midwifery education across Nigeria, supporting the tuition of 5,381 student nurses and midwives in 21 Federal and State Schools of Nursing.
The latest figures, contained in a special NELFUND report on disbursements to Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, show a remarkable expansion of the Fund’s intervention, with disbursements increasing almost fourteen-fold in just two academic sessions.
According to the report, NELFUND disbursed ₦59.4 million in the 2023/2024 academic session, rising to ₦205.8 million in 2024/2025, before soaring to ₦811.9 million in 2025/2026.
Cumulatively, the Fund has paid ₦1,077,070,700 in tuition across the 21 institutions, providing financial support to thousands of Nigerians pursuing careers in nursing and midwifery.
Among the institutions benefiting are the Oyo State College of Nursing, Eleyele, which recorded ₦264.737 million for 559 applications; Ogun State College of Nursing with ₦94.42 million for 188 applications; Katsina State College of Nursing and Midwifery with ₦90.3718 million for 1,107 applications; Shehu Sule College of Nursing, Damaturu, with ₦82.9195 million for 828 applications; and Lagos State College of Nursing, Igando, which received ₦81.564 million for 248 applications.
Other beneficiaries include the Cross River State College of Nursing, Itigidi and Obudu; Kebbi State College of Nursing; Edo State College of Nursing; Federal Capital Territory College of Nursing, Gwagwalada; Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery; Taraba State College of Nursing, Jalingo; Zamfara State College of Nursing, Gusau; and nursing schools attached to major teaching and specialist hospitals across the country.
The report also highlights the gender dimension of the intervention, noting that most of the beneficiaries are young women, reflecting the strong participation of women and girls in Nigeria’s nursing and midwifery professions.
Beyond tuition support, NELFUND said the intervention also includes direct upkeep allowances to students, providing additional financial relief for beneficiaries and supporting their ability to remain in school and focus on their training.
The growing disbursement figures underscore the increasing uptake of the student loan scheme, with more students accessing support as the programme expands across institutions.
The development represents a major investment not only in individual students but also in Nigeria’s health workforce, as beneficiaries are being trained to become nurses and midwives who will serve communities across the country.
With more than ₦1.08 billion committed to 5,381 nursing and midwifery students, NELFUND’s intervention is opening another important front in the effort to make tertiary and professional education more accessible, while advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda’s promise of expanding opportunity for Nigerian students.
