The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the deadline for its Student Loan Application Portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, following formal requests from several participating institutions. The move provides additional time for eligible students at these institutions to complete their applications.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, confirmed the extension is specifically for institutions that submitted formal appeals for more time. “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has approved an extension of its Student Loan Application Portal for institutions that have formally requested additional time for the 2025/2026 academic session,” the statement read.
NELFUND Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, emphasized the organization’s mission. “NELFUND remains committed to ensuring that eligible students across participating institutions have the opportunity to access the student loan programme,” he stated.
The Fund is urging students in affected institutions to utilize the extended period and submit their applications exclusively through the official NELFUND portal. It also reiterated its focus on transparency, accountability, and delivering sustainable financing solutions to alleviate financial obstacles to tertiary education in Nigeria.
NELFUND was established to administer the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme, a federal initiative enacted into law by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024. The scheme provides interest-free loans to students enrolled in public tertiary institutions, covering tuition and related living expenses. Repayment commences after graduation and upon securing employment, with the overarching aim of expanding access to higher education for students from low-income families.
This extension underscores NELFUND’s adaptive approach to implementing the loan programme, responding to institutional needs to maximize student participation. By granting additional time, the Fund seeks to ensure no eligible candidate is disadvantaged by procedural timelines. Students are advised to confirm their institution’s eligibility for the extension and submit all required documentation promptly to benefit from the scheme designed to support their academic pursuits.
