Abuja, July 17, 2025
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced plans to launch a dedicated job portal by 2026, aimed at connecting student loan beneficiaries with potential employers across various sectors of the economy.
This initiative, according to NELFUND’s Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, is part of the Fund’s long-term strategy to improve employment outcomes for students who benefit from the government-backed loan scheme. He noted that the portal will serve as a vital bridge between skilled graduates and the labour market, furthering the goal of reducing youth unemployment.
“The job portal is not just a database for CVs. It will be a smart employment platform that matches qualified student loan beneficiaries with reputable employers who are seeking talent,” Mr. Sawyerr said during a press briefing in Abuja.
The platform, which is expected to go live in the first quarter of 2026, will include features such as job-matching algorithms, internship opportunities, vocational upskilling content, and employer reviews. It will also be tailored to reflect the diversity of industries in Nigeria and beyond.
NELFUND’s move is seen as a proactive measure to support students after graduation and ensure the sustainability of the loan repayment system by facilitating early job placement. This aligns with the broader educational reform agenda of the Tinubu administration, which aims to make higher education more accessible and career-focused.
The Fund reiterated its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability as it prepares to launch the portal, which will complement its ongoing disbursement of loans to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions nationwide.
