A 300-level student of the University of Lagos, Migwe Obinna Nicholas, has narrated how the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, helped him continue his education amid financial challenges.
Nicholas, who is studying Theatre Arts and Film Studies at UNILAG, shared his experience in an interview with former Big Brother Naija housemate DeeOne, posted on Instagram on Monday.
The undergraduate said he currently lives in his local church due to a lack of personal accommodation after leaving his sister’s home.
He explained that he moved from Ebonyi State to Lagos at the age of eight to live with his elder sister.
According to him, after he gained admission to UNILAG, disagreements arose over his decision to pursue university education rather than join his brother-in-law’s business.
“I come from a poor family. I’ve been with my sister since I was about eight years old. But when I got admission to the University of Lagos, her husband actually asked me to leave the house.
He always wanted me to go into his line of business, which was selling accessories, but that’s not what I wanted. I wanted to go to school and become a music artist,” he said.
Nicholas, who performs under the stage name BMX Royce, said he struggled to cope with the increase in tuition fees and had considered dropping out.
“I was thinking about dropping out, but I had to take that loan because I didn’t want to stop. If the loan didn’t come, only God would have helped me.
Seriously, I was going to drop out about two sessions ago, but then I took the loan because I didn’t want to stop,” he said.
How the Loan Helped
He said NELFUND currently pays his tuition fees directly to the school, while the monthly upkeep allowance has been inconsistent.
According to him, beneficiaries can apply for tuition support and a monthly stipend of ₦20,000.
“I applied for both. They paid my school fees, but for the stipend, they paid about three months before they stopped. This session, they’ve paid my school fees again, but I’ve only received one stipend so far.
I’m not complaining about the stipend. As long as they pay my school fees and I’m able to register my courses, that’s fine,” he said.
Nicholas described the application process as straightforward and encouraged eligible students facing financial hardship to apply.
“It’s easy. Just go to their site, register with your email and school credentials. They’ll verify it and you get paid,” he said.
He also advised that students whose parents can comfortably sponsor their education should allow the opportunity for those in need.
“They gave us two years after NYSC to repay it. I believe that by then I’ll be able to pay because I have faith in what I’m building,” he added.
The student said completing his degree is important to him as he is the first in his family to attend university.
“I’m the only person in my family that has made it to university. I’m the last born, and I want to keep that legacy going,” he said.
