ESCET Makes NELFUND Loan Compulsory? What the Memo Says, What NELFUND Replied and What Students Can Do

Imagine being told you must take a loan or you cannot write your exams. That is the claim sweeping through Nigerian social media about the Enugu State College of Education (Technical), ESCET. However, before you share it, here is what is confirmed, what is only alleged and what the NELFUND says.

What Is the ESCET NELFUND Memo About?

The memo is dated October 6, 2026 and signed by Acting Registrar Patrick A. Aneke. It says it is “now compulsory for every student (both in NCE and Degree programmes) to enroll and access” the loan.

Fresh and continuing students must visit the college’s NELFUND Desk Officer, Dr Rufina Agu, and apply for the 2026/2027 session. Deans, directors, heads of department and the Students’ Union Government were asked to inform students. No deadline is given.

Where Does the Exam Ban Come From?

Here is the important detail, the memo itself contains no explicit exam-ban or dropout threat. Instead, those consequences come from WhatsApp messages attributed to the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Bertrand Ekwe.

In those messages, a NELFUND registration receipt is described as a requirement for exam clearance. Asked about students whose parents refuse, the reply reads: “Then it might be very difficult for you to continue in ESCET.” On the exam ban, it says: “Yes for now or if management change their decision.”

Meanwhile, Pulse Nigeria says the same account suggested critics could be removed from the group, but it adds that the WhatsApp messages are not confirmed as an official college statement. So, treat the exam-ban claim as reported, not proven.

What Did NELFUND Say?

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, NELFUND issued a statement in Abuja signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, saying that applying for the loan is voluntary and not required for students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

• The decision should be “based on an individual student’s financial circumstances”.

• “NELFUND’s objective is not to encourage every student to borrow.”

• Students who do not need financial support have no obligation to apply.

Also, VON quotes the fund as saying: “The student loan scheme is a support mechanism, not an obligation.”  NELFUND urged schools and student leaders to share accurate information.

Why Is This Story Spreading So Fast?

For one thing, the claim touches money and exams, two things every student worries about. The scheme was created under the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024, so it is a national programme and not a local one.

Also, earlier in 2026 students in Enugu and other South-East states linked low participation to disbursement delays. Some ESCET students have also argued that NELFUND is meant for financially disadvantaged students and should not be compulsory for everyone. As a result, the memo has landed in a space where many students already have questions.

Has ESCET Responded?

Neither the college nor the Enugu State Government had publicly responded. 

Can a School Legally Force You to Take the Loan?

That is the big question, and the honest answer is that nobody has settled it. NELFUND’s statement does not decide whether a college can tie exam access to loan registration. It depends on the law, the school’s rules and official directives. 

Quick Facts: How Does NELFUND Work?

• Interest-free: NELFUND describes the loan as interest-free, but it must still be repaid under the Students Loans Act.

• Where the money goes: Tuition is paid directly to institutions, while upkeep goes to students.

• Scale: As of March 2026, over ₦206 billion had been disbursed to 1,164,222 students across 270 institutions.

• Repayment: Reports say it begins two years after NYSC once the borrower is employed.

What Can Affected Students Do?

Based on suggestions, you can take a few sensible steps:

• Ask for the directive in writing and request clarification from management.

• Check with NELFUND through its official channels whether the instruction reflects its policy.

• Keep copies of notices and messages, in case you need help from education authorities.

• Read the repayment terms before you apply, and make sure your details are correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the NELFUND loan compulsory?

No. NELFUND says it is voluntary and based on need.

2. Did ESCET really ban students from exams?

Reported messages attributed to a college dean say so, but the memo as quoted does not, and no official confirmation has been found.

3. Who signed the ESCET memo?

Acting Registrar Patrick A. Aneke, per SaharaReporters.

4. Does NELFUND charge interest?

NELFUND says no, but the loan must be repaid.