NELFUND Invests ₦1.08bn In Nigeria’s Future Nursing Workforce
5,381 student nurses and midwives across 21 institutions benefit as funding for nursing education grows nearly 14-fold
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed over ₦1.08 billion in the education of 5,381 student nurses and midwives across 21 Federal and State institutions, strengthening access to professional training while supporting the development of Nigeria’s future healthcare workforce.
The intervention has recorded significant growth over three academic sessions, rising from ₦59.4 million in 2023/2024 to ₦205.8 million in 2024/2025 and ₦811.9 million in 2025/2026, an almost fourteen-fold increase in funding.
The beneficiaries are drawn from nursing institutions across the country, including the Oyo State College of Nursing, Shehu Sule College of Nursing, Lagos State College of Nursing, Ogun State College of Nursing, Katsina State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kebbi State College of Nursing, Cross River State Colleges of Nursing, and institutions in Bauchi, Anambra, Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara, the FCT and other locations.
Speaking on the intervention, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, said:
“NELFUND is not simply providing financial assistance to students; we are investing in the human capital that Nigeria needs to move forward. Every student we keep in school represents a future professional, a future healthcare worker and a potential contributor to the development of our nation.
“The growth in support for nursing and midwifery education, from ₦59.4 million to ₦811.9 million in just three academic sessions shows what becomes possible when financial barriers are removed from the path of young Nigerians who are determined to build a future for themselves and contribute to society. “We are particularly encouraged that this intervention is reaching thousands of young women pursuing nursing and midwifery. By supporting their education today, we are opening doors to professional opportunity, economic independence and meaningful participation in Nigeria’s healthcare system.”
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Mustapha Iyal, said: “Our focus remains on ensuring the seamless and timely delivery of support to eligible students, so that more young Nigerians can obtain the skills and qualifications the country needs.”
Nursing and midwifery are among Nigeria’s most female-dominated health professions, and the NELFUND report shows that the majority of beneficiaries covered are young women. The intervention therefore represents both an investment in education and a pathway to greater economic and professional opportunity for young Nigerian women.
The Fund’s latest figures reinforce its broader mandate of ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent eligible Nigerians from accessing and completing higher education. With demand for student financing continuing to grow, NELFUND says its focus remains on expanding access while ensuring that its interventions translate into meaningful opportunities for students and the nation.
