News
NELFUND opens portal for 1st phase of students loan application
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has opened the application portal for the first phase of the student loan scheme, for students from federal institutions across the country.
The loan website which became active in the early hour of Friday had the scheme’s pilot phase opened to students of federal tertiary institutions.
The Media and Public Relations Lead of NELFUND, Mr Nasir Ayitogo, listed the step by step application for the loan.
Ayitogo listed the procedures as:
CREATING AN ACCOUNT
Step 1: visit www.nelf.gov.ng
Step 2: Click on the “Apply Now”
Step 3: Click on “Get Started”
Step 4: Answer the questions on this page to continue by clicking on “Yes, I am a Nigerian”
Step 5: Verify your educational information. You would be required to select your school from a dropdown and provide your matric number to check if your school has uploaded your details.
Step 6: Click the “Verify with JAMB” and enter your JAMB details in the screen.
(Students whose NIN has not been registered with JAMB will have an input field where they can enter their NIN for validation.)
Step 7: Create an account by entering your Email address, Password and Confirm Password in the fields provided and click “Create Account”.
Step 8: Click the email verification link sent to your email.
This concludes the process of creating an account.
HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE :
After successful registration, log in by clicking the “LOGIN” button.
Step 1: Enter your email address and password to Login.
Step 2: Click on the “Proceed to Contact Details” button.
Step 3: Update contact details with the current information of your Phone Number, Full Residential Address, State of Residence and Local Government Area of Residence and click “Proceed to Educational Details”.
Step 4: Update your educational details by selecting your Higher Institution and inputting your Matric Number, then click “Proceed to Account Details”
Step 5: Verify your BVN by entering your BVN, select your Bank Name and enter your Account Number. Click “Save Changes” to complete your profile.
LOAN APPLICATION
Step 1: Click on the “Request for Student Loan” button at the top right of the screen on the home or loans page after logging into the application.
Step 2: If you want an upkeep loan, click the check box, and click Continue, if all you need is the institutional charge, click the “Continue” button.
Step 3: Upload supporting documents. The admission letter is compulsory which the Student ID and Institution Invoice are optional.
Click the checkbox for the policy and declaration and click “Continue”
Step 4: Read the loan overview and click the check boxes for both the Terms & Conditions and GSI Mandate then click “Submit Application”
Step 5: Click on the “Loans” button to view the status of your application.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu enacted an initial version of the student loan policy in June 2023 to grant interest-free loans to students.
The scheme, which was supposed to have taken off in October 2023, was deferred until a re-enactment in April 2024.
However, NELFUND finally scheduled the opening of the loan application and issuance portal for May 24, which is now in operation. (NAN)
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…