A total of 3,296 students of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi State, have benefited from approximately ₦387 million in student loans provided through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as the Federal Government continues efforts to improve access to higher education.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gbenga Solomon Ibileye, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the institution’s 10th convocation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Ibileye explained that the funding was released in two batches. The first tranche of approximately ₦188 million supported 1,631 students, while the second disbursement of about ₦199 million benefited another 1,665 students.
He added that students who had paid their tuition fees before their loan applications were approved received refunds after the funds were subsequently released.
TETFund Commits ₦404.9 Million to Staff Development
Beyond student financial assistance, the vice-chancellor disclosed that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) committed approximately ₦404.9 million to staff development through academic training and conference sponsorship.
He said 190 of the 200 applications submitted for conference sponsorship were approved, representing a 95 per cent approval rate.
A total of 81 academic staff members benefited from the sponsorship. Of these, 49 attended international conferences, while 32 participated in local conferences, at a combined cost of approximately ₦246.6 million.
Another 109 non-academic staff members received conference sponsorship worth about ₦38.4 million.
The university also secured ₦158.9 million for academic training involving 21 academic staff members.
University Expands Academic Programmes
Ibileye said the institution had continued to broaden its academic offerings, with 14 new programmes admitting their first students for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The programmes include Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Science, Software Engineering, Psychology, and Criminology and Security Studies.
He also disclosed that eight academic programmes had obtained full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), while accreditation exercises were ongoing for another 10 programmes.
On research, the vice-chancellor said the university had submitted more than 50 grant proposals following the appointment of its first Grants Officer.
He added that eight professors had delivered inaugural lectures since February, bringing the institution’s total number of inaugural lectures to 47.
5,638 Students Set to Graduate
The university is preparing to graduate 5,638 students at its 10th convocation ceremony.
Ibileye acknowledged that the institution was operating under growing pressure from rising costs, increasing enrolment and demands for better infrastructure, laboratories, accommodation and digital facilities.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to improving teaching, research and student welfare despite these challenges.
The NELFUND scheme is designed to help eligible students meet tuition and other approved educational expenses, reducing the immediate financial burden on families and supporting access to tertiary education.
The latest disbursement at Federal University Lokoja highlights the role of student financing in keeping learners in school while universities work to expand academic opportunities and improve the quality of education.
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