Student financial aid initiatives expand in South Africa and Nigeria

South Africa's National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has opened applications for the 2027 academic year. The application window, which began on September 18, 2026, will close on November 18, 2026. Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela announced that the scheme is implementing new efficiencies, including automated document verification, electronic signing, and direct data extraction from institutional systems to reduce manual errors.

In Nigeria, the National Institute for Sports (NIS) is in advanced discussions to join the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) programme. NIS Director-General Philip Shaibu stated that the initiative aims to assist students and coaches with tuition fees, allowing them to repay loans after securing employment. This move follows research indicating that approximately 40,000 coaches in Nigeria currently lack professional licenses.