10/21/2025
NELFUND Opens Student Loan Application Portal for 2025/2026 Academic Session
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has officially opened its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, marking a significant step in providing financial support to students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the agency announced that the application window will be open from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The Fund has urged all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to secure funding for their education and has provided specific guidelines to ensure a smooth application process.
A key instruction for newly admitted students is to use their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a matriculation number when applying.
NELFUND also made a special appeal to tertiary institutions, asking for flexibility in their administrative deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursements.
“Institutions are encouraged to show understanding in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement,” Oluwatuyi stated.
The agency further requested that institutions which have not yet begun their 2025/2026 academic session should formally submit their approved academic calendar to NELFUND to allow for proper scheduling.
Reiterating its core mandate, the Fund emphasized its commitment to ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent any Nigerian student from accessing tertiary education.
“NELFUND appeals to all institutions to consider temporary registration measures for students whose loan applications are being processed, to ensure that no student loses access to education due to financial constraints,” the statement read.
The establishment of NELFUND to provide interest-free loans is a key initiative of President Bola Tinubu's administration, aimed at reducing financial barriers and expanding access to higher education for Nigerian youths.