The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the official opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, giving eligible students across the country an opportunity to access financial support for their education.
Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, made the announcement in Abuja through a statement issued by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi.
According to the statement, the application portal will open on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and close on Saturday, January 31, 2026, covering the entire admission cycle for the academic year.
Mr. Sawyerr expressed appreciation to tertiary institutions for their cooperation since the loan scheme began and urged them to continue supporting the process to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and ease of access for both returning and newly admitted students.
He emphasized the importance of timely and accurate data entry, reminding all institutions to update and upload verified records of both new and returning students on the Student Verification Portal. This, he noted, is a key requirement for applicants to successfully access the benefits of the National Education Loan Programme.
“To support a seamless rollout, institutions should note that the portal opens October 23 and closes January 31. Timely updates will ensure students are not left out,” he said.
The NELFUND boss clarified that both first-year and returning students of accredited tertiary institutions are eligible to apply. He explained that new students can use their JAMB or admission numbers for verification if matriculation numbers are not yet available.
Mr. Sawyerr also appealed to institutions to exercise flexibility with registration and fee deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement, stressing that financial delays should not disrupt their academic progress.
He encouraged schools that have yet to commence their 2025/2026 academic sessions to forward their academic calendars to NELFUND to aid effective scheduling and disbursement planning.
Furthermore, he advised institutions to implement temporary registration measures for students with pending loan approvals, ensuring no qualified applicant is denied access to education due to financial constraints.
“For technical support or enquiries, institutions can contact NELFUND via email at [data@nelf.gov.ng],” the statement added.
The student loan programme, part of the federal government’s broader education reform initiative, aims to make higher education more accessible to Nigerians and reduce the financial burden on students from low-income backgrounds.
