Daud Olatunji
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the official opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, with applications expected to run from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.
In a statement issued by the Fund’s management on Monday in Abuja, NELFUND said the opening of the portal marked another milestone in the implementation of the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education for all eligible Nigerian students.
According to the statement, the initiative is aimed at easing the financial burden on students in public tertiary institutions, ensuring that no Nigerian youth is denied education because of economic hardship.
“NELFUND appreciates the continued cooperation of tertiary institutions nationwide and seeks their further collaboration to ensure a smooth and inclusive loan process for all eligible students,” the statement read.
The Fund directed all tertiary institutions across the country to update and upload verified records of both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal, describing the exercise as a prerequisite for successful loan applications.
To ensure smooth implementation, NELFUND outlined key dates and guidelines for the process, urging school authorities to exercise flexibility with students awaiting loan disbursement before enforcing registration or tuition payment deadlines.
“Institutions are encouraged to show understanding in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students whose loan disbursements are still being processed,” it added.
The agency also called on institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session to formally notify NELFUND with their approved academic calendars for scheduling flexibility.
In what it described as a “special appeal,” the Fund urged school managements to adopt temporary registration measures for students awaiting loan approvals, noting that no student should lose access to education due to financial constraints.
NELFUND further clarified that fresh students could apply using either their admission number or JAMB registration number, while returning students would use their matriculation numbers.
For technical support or enquiries, the Fund advised institutions and students to reach out through its official communication channels — including email at data@nelf.gov.ng, social media handles @nelfund, and its website, www.nelf.gov.ng.
Since its establishment, NELFUND has been positioned under the Office of the Presidency to manage the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, a policy designed to promote inclusive education and human capital development in Nigeria.
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