The launch of the student loan scheme in early 2024 marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s education system, offering new hope to students from low-income families.
According to Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director of NELFUND, “326,000 individuals had applied for the loan as of December 2024. We’ve disbursed about ₦18 billion to 128 eligible tertiary institutions and ₦5 billion in upkeep.”
Complementing the financial boost was the introduction of 15 vocational skills into the basic education curriculum, aimed at addressing unemployment and aligning education with global labor market demands. Jessica Osuere, an education manager, commended the reform, saying, “Our education has been highly theoretical even in the sciences and technology. Empowering youngsters with such skills will lead to innovations, create jobs, and eradicate poverty.”
This curriculum reform also integrated digital literacy and entrepreneurship, with increased adoption of e-learning platforms, mobile apps, and other technology-driven solutions. Urban schools saw significant progress, but rural schools lagged due to inadequate infrastructure and poor learning environments.
The government and private sector invested heavily in education technology, but challenges persisted. Teacher quality remained a concern, as noted by Josiah Ajiboye, Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), who revealed that “a large percentage of public school teachers—about 80%—are qualified, but less than 50% in private schools meet the standard.”
Despite efforts to improve access and equity, Nigeria’s education sector struggled with out-of-school children, numbering 18.3 million in 2024, representing 15% of the global total. Rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis further compounded the challenges.
While progress was evident in vocational and digital reforms, stakeholders emphasized the need for better implementation, improved teacher training, and addressing infrastructure gaps to fully realize the potential of these initiatives.
