A 300 level University of Lagos student, Migwe Obinna Nicholas, has narrated how the Nigerian Education Loan Fund helped him avoid dropping out of school, describing himself as the only member of his family to have made it to University.

Nicholas, who is studying Theatre Arts and Film Studies at UNILAG, shared his experience in an interview with former Big Brother Naija housemate DeeOne, posted on Instagram on Monday.

The undergraduate disclosed that he currently lives in his local church, having left his sister's home after disagreements with her husband. He stated, "I'm the only person in my family that has made it to university. I'm using student loans to fund myself through school right now. I live in my local church while schooling. I don't have my own apartment right now."

He explained that he grew up in a poor family and moved from Ebonyi State to Lagos at the age of eight to live with his elder sister, who supported him for years before he had to leave following his admission into UNILAG. According to him, "He always wanted me to go into his line of business, which was selling accessories, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to go to school and become a music artist."

Nicholas, who performs under the stage name BMX Royce, revealed that he struggled to cope with a sharp increase in tuition fees and had considered abandoning his education before applying for the Federal Government's student loan scheme. "I was thinking about dropping out, but I had to take that loan because I didn't want to stop," he said.

He noted that NELFUND currently pays his tuition fees, while the monthly upkeep allowance of ₦20,000 has been inconsistent, adding that he had received only one stipend payment so far this session despite his fees being settled.

Nicholas described the application process as straightforward, encouraging students facing financial hardship to apply, but advised those with parents able to sponsor their education not to apply unnecessarily. He noted that beneficiaries are given two years after NYSC to repay the loan.

He added, "I'm the only person in my family that has made it to University. I'm the last born, and I want to keep that legacy going."