By Charles Pemu 
A recent analysis of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed a significant regional disparity in applications, with northern states showing a disproportionately high uptake compared to their southern counterparts. As of May 2025, the northern zones accounted for over 300,000 applications, while the entire South-East region recorded fewer than 30,000, raising serious concerns about equity and access in national education financing.
The data shows a stark imbalance: the North-West zone received 167,639 applications, the North-East 134,359, while the South-West had 104,079, the South-South 39,774, and the South-East a mere 29,097. This pattern defies expectations based on the student populations of major southern universities, which often have larger enrollments than many northern institutions.
Historical Pattern of Imbalance
This regional disparity is not unique to the student loan scheme. It mirrors a consistent trend in a wide range of federal interventions, from education and agriculture to poverty alleviation.
- Education: Historically, federal education initiatives like the Universal Basic Education scheme and the Girls’ Education Project have channeled more resources and funding to northern states to address higher out-of-school populations.
- Agriculture: The government’s e-Wallet Fertiliser Distribution scheme has heavily concentrated resources in the North, with most of the country’s blending plants located in northern states.
- Poverty Alleviation: Social investment programs such as the Conditional Cash Transfers and N-Power have consistently focused on the North, where poverty rates are highest. During the 2020 Conditional Cash Transfer round, Katsina State alone had over 140,000 beneficiaries, while Lagos had fewer than 7,000.
The article argues that this uneven distribution is not just about population or campus size, but a complex mix of factors, including targeted outreach, economic realities, and institutional engagement. Many northern families, with fewer means to self-finance, are more likely to seek out interest-free loans, while awareness campaigns may have been more effective in the North through community networks.
The author warns that if this pattern persists, it will deepen structural divides, fuel resentment, and hinder national progress. The article calls for a more inclusive approach, urging NELFUND to extend its awareness campaigns to underrepresented southern universities and for the government to implement a deliberate strategy that ensures every Nigerian student, regardless of their region, has a fair chance at opportunity. The long-term success of national programs depends on a balanced and equitable distribution of resources.