ABUJA — The National Assembly and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund have renewed efforts to expand the country's student loan programme, with a target of increasing the number of direct beneficiaries to at least seven million. NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr disclosed the target during a national sensitisation programme on the student loan scheme. He said about 1.6 million Nigerian students had so far benefited directly from NELFUND interventions. The expansion plan is intended to make tertiary education more accessible to students who might otherwise struggle to meet the cost of tuition and other educational expenses. The student loan scheme forms part of the Federal Government's broader effort to improve access to higher education and reduce financial barriers for students. Rising education costs have placed pressure on many families, particularly those supporting more than one child in tertiary institutions. A functioning student financing system can provide another route for students to remain in education when household resources are limited. NELFUND's expansion will require effective identification of eligible students, reliable payment systems and clear repayment arrangements. Students need to understand the conditions attached to loans before accepting them. Transparency is therefore important to the credibility of the programme. Institutions also have a role in ensuring that students receive accurate information about the application process. Delays or uncertainty can discourage eligible applicants and create unnecessary administrative problems. Digital systems can make applications easier by allowing students to submit information electronically and track the status of requests. However, students without reliable internet access may require additional support. The programme also needs strong safeguards against fraud. Education financing schemes can attract fraudulent websites and intermediaries seeking to exploit applicants. Students should use official channels and avoid making payments to unauthorised agents. Expanding student finance could also contribute to human-capital development. Students who complete tertiary education may acquire skills needed in professional and technical fields, strengthening the country's workforce. The impact will depend on whether graduates are able to find productive employment after completing their studies. Loan recovery will therefore become important as the scheme grows. A sustainable financing system requires mechanisms that allow graduates to repay according to established rules while taking account of their ability to earn. Excessive repayment pressure could undermine the social purpose of the programme. The government and education institutions will also need to monitor whether the loans are reaching students who face genuine financial barriers. Data can help identify gaps and improve targeting. The planned expansion represents a significant increase in the scale of Nigeria's student financing system. Reaching seven million beneficiaries would require substantial administrative capacity and sustained funding. If properly managed, the scheme could reduce financial barriers and allow more young Nigerians to pursue higher education. Its long-term success, however, will depend on transparency, efficient administration, responsible lending and effective repayment systems. Expanding access to education is important, but maintaining the sustainability of the financing programme will be equally necessary.