NELFUND loan enabled academic excellence, says another LAUTECH First Class graduate
Amid ongoing public debates surrounding the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), another first-class graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has described the scheme as a “lifesaver” that helped
Amid ongoing public debates surrounding the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), another first-class graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has described the scheme as a “lifesaver” that helped shift students from financial survival to academic success.
Augustine Ayorinde Oreoluwa, who graduated with First Class Honours and a CGPA of 4.61/5.0, emerged as the second-best graduating student in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.
In a post on X that has gained renewed attention, Ayorinde credited the NELFUND intervention for restoring focus during a critical phase of their studies.
“I’ve followed the recent online discussions regarding the NELFUND student loan, and as someone who has lived this reality, I feel it’s important to add my voice and my results to the conversation. I am proud to share that I graduated with First Class Honors and as the Second Best Graduating Student in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at LAUTECH. Right beside me in this achievement was my friend @YhungProf0 who finished as the Best Graduating Student", he wrote.
According to Ayorinde, the loan arrived when financial pressures were at their peak.
“The NELFUND initiative was introduced during the most difficult financial phase of our university journey. We didn’t hesitate to apply, and fortunately, we were among the very first set of beneficiaries to receive the loan,” he said.
He highlighted the mental toll of financial hardship before the intervention.
“People often underestimate the mental cost of financial lack. Before the loan, a significant portion of our energy was spent worrying about tuition deadlines and exam clearance.”
The stability provided by NELFUND, he explained, allowed students to redirect their efforts. “The NELFUND intervention bought us back our most valuable resource: time. Instead of spending our energy on desperate side hustles just to keep up with tuition deadlines, we were able to dedicate those critical hours to the lab and to our studies.”
Ayorinde added that the scheme facilitated a shift “from survival mode to excellence mode.”
While acknowledging the repayment obligation, he described the loan as a timely investment in talent.
“I am fully aware that this is a loan that will be repaid, but I am incredibly glad it came at the exact moment we needed it. It wasn’t just a payment, it was an investment that ensured that our achievements weren’t lost to financial hardship.
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“When you remove the barrier of tuition, you allow brilliance to thrive. My 4.61 CGPA and my colleague’s achievement are proof of that", he said.
His testimonial comes shortly after similar praise from Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga, who graduated as the overall best engineering student at LAUTECH with an outstanding CGPA of 4.89/5.0.
Oladepo, who grew up in a rural community in Osun State without electricity for years, also publicly credited NELFUND for making his academic journey possible.
Another beneficiary, Daniel Barikui Abigail, echoed the sentiment, stating that the scheme helped her balance work and schooling.
Ayorinde replied in agreement, reinforcing that “it’s indeed a lifesaver.”
These accounts add to a growing list of positive feedback from NELFUND beneficiaries at LAUTECH, even as the fund faces broader scrutiny over disbursement timelines and implementation challenges at various institutions.
