The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the official opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session. The application window will run from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the move marks another milestone in the government’s commitment to expanding access to affordable education for Nigerian students.
According to her, NELFUND appreciates the continued cooperation of tertiary institutions across the country and is seeking further collaboration to ensure a smooth and inclusive loan process for all eligible students.
“Institutions are reminded to update and upload the verified records of both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal, as this step is essential for students to successfully apply and benefit from the scheme,” she stated.
Oluwatuyi explained that both returning and newly admitted students of accredited tertiary institutions are eligible to apply for the loan. She added that fresh students who have not yet been assigned matriculation numbers can use their JAMB registration number or admission number during the application process.
The Director urged tertiary institutions to show understanding regarding registration and school fee payment deadlines, especially for students awaiting loan disbursement.
“Institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session should formally write to NELFUND with their approved academic calendar for scheduling flexibility,” she advised.
She further appealed to schools to consider temporary registration measures for students whose applications are still being processed, ensuring that no student is denied access to education due to financial challenges.
The NELFUND loan scheme, launched under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, aims to provide zero-interest financial assistance to Nigerian students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition and other academic-related expenses, reinforcing the government’s goal of making education accessible to all.