NELFUND Gives ₦6.97 m to Ten Aviation Students in Abuja
Sep, 30 2025
- By: Asira Flowers
- 1 Comments
- News
When NELFUND announced a fresh grant of ₦6,972,000 to ten scholars at the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), the buzz was instant.
The money landed on and was confirmed by Mustapha Abdul, the university’s registrar, in an interview on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Here’s the thing: the cash isn’t just a token gesture. Split evenly, each student walks away with about ₦697,200 – enough to cover tuition, books, and even a few flight‑simulation hours.
Background: How NELFUND Came to Be
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund was birthed under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on . The legislation’s core promise? No qualified Nigerian should be barred from university because of money.
Since then, the fund has disbursed over ₦59 billion to more than 600,000 students nationwide, according to figures released in Asaba during a federal briefing.
During that briefing, Mallam Lanre Issa‑Onilu, Director‑General of the National Orientation Agency, emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment to “financial inclusion in higher education.”
Details of the Abuja Disbursement
On the morning of July 21, a cheque‑style voucher was deposited directly into AAAU’s student‑aid account. The ten beneficiaries were chosen from a pool of 45 applicants across three aviation programmes: Aeronautical Engineering, Air Navigation, and Aviation Management.
- Average grant per student: ₦697,200.
- Projected impact: Reducing drop‑out risk by an estimated 15% for the cohort.
- Fund earmarked for: Tuition, textbooks, lab fees, and flight‑simulation training.
“We deeply appreciate this timely intervention,” said Mustapha Abdul in a statement signed on September 2. “It will significantly ease the financial burdens of our beneficiaries and enhance their ability to focus on their academic pursuits.”
University Reaction and Student Voices
The university’s management held a brief press conference at the campus in Abuja on September 3. Vice‑Chancellor Dr. Aisha Yusuf noted that the grant aligns perfectly with AAAU’s push to become a regional hub for aerospace talent.
One of the ten students, 21‑year‑old pilot‑in‑training Chinedu Okeke, told us, “Before this, I was juggling two part‑time jobs. Now I can concentrate on flight hours and my final year projects.”
Another beneficiary, a budding aerospace engineer named Fatima Bello, added, “The support feels like the government finally sees the value of specialised tech education for our economy.”
National Impact: Why This Matters Beyond Aviation
AAAU is a niche institution, but the grant signals a broader strategy: NELFUND is extending its reach into specialised, high‑skill sectors that traditionally received less attention.
According to a Ministry of Education report released last month, sectors such as aerospace, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing are projected to create 120,000 new jobs by 2030. Targeted financing, like the Abuja grant, is intended to feed a pipeline of qualified professionals into those growth areas.
Economists point out that investing ₦6.97 million in ten students yields a high return when you consider the potential economic contribution of a qualified pilot or aerospace engineer over a 30‑year career – potentially upwards of ₦150 million in taxes and spending.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for NELFUND?
Officials hinted at a “specialised‑institution tranche” slated for the third quarter of 2025, which could see another ₦20 million funneled into universities focused on cyber‑security and marine engineering.
Meanwhile, Mallah Lanre Issa‑Onilu reiterated that the fund will keep tracking impact metrics, aiming for a 90% graduation rate among loan recipients by 2027.
For students across Nigeria, the message is clear: if you can demonstrate academic merit and a commitment to a critical skill set, there’s a growing safety net waiting.
Key Facts
- Funding body: NELFUND
- Amount disbursed: ₦6,972,000
- Beneficiaries: 10 aviation students at AAAU
- Date of disbursement: July 21, 2025
- Total NELFUND payouts to date: over ₦59 billion to 600,000+ students
Frequently Asked Questions
How were the ten beneficiaries selected?
AAAU’s financial aid office reviewed applications based on academic standing, program relevance, and financial need. From a pool of 45 qualified candidates, ten were chosen using a scoring rubric that weighted GPA, projected industry demand, and socio‑economic background.
What will the students use the money for?
The grant is earmarked for tuition fees, textbooks, laboratory consumables, and flight‑simulation training hours. Recipients must submit receipts to AAAU’s bursar to ensure proper use.
Does this disbursement signal a new focus on technical education?
Yes. NELFUND officials have outlined a roadmap that includes targeted funding for sectors like aviation, cyber‑security, and renewable energy. The aim is to align scholarship resources with Nigeria’s emerging economic priorities.
How does this grant fit into the broader NELFUND program?
The ₦6.97 million payment is part of a larger disbursement schedule that has already reached over ₦59 billion nationwide. It demonstrates the fund’s willingness to support not just traditional university courses but also specialised technical programmes.
What are the next steps for students who missed this round?
Students can apply for the upcoming tranche slated for Q3 2025, which will focus on other priority fields. Applications will open on the NELFUND portal in early October, with eligibility criteria mirroring this round’s standards.
1 Comments
Reading about the NELFUND grant feels like a breath of fresh air for our aviation dreams, yet the underlying political undertones cannot be ignored. The government touts inclusion, but the reality for many Indians studying abroad is that we watch from the sidelines, hoping for similar support. It is baffling how a country with such a large youth population can afford to overlook the aerospace sector when other nations surge ahead. The grant to ten students in Abuja is commendable, but why not extend this generosity to our own budding pilots? Our skies are congested with talent that remains untapped due to funding gaps. The numbers-₦697,200 per student-are modest, yet they symbolize a stepping stone toward a larger vision of regional dominance. If Nigeria can allocate billions to education, we must demand the same from our ministries. The article mentions a projected 15% drop-out risk reduction; imagine the ripple effect if such policies were mirrored here. The strategic importance of aerospace cannot be overstated, as it fuels defense, commerce, and global connectivity. Let us not be complacent, for the next generation will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions. The emphasis on high‑skill sectors is a global trend, and we should ride that wave rather than watch it from a distance. The success stories of Chinedu and Fatima should inspire our own students, but only if we provide them with comparable resources. The future of aviation lies in collaborative investments, not isolated gestures. In sum, while we applaud NELFUND's initiative, we must also use it as a catalyst to demand equitable support across borders, ensuring that talent everywhere gets its chance to soar.