NELFUND opens student loan application portal for 2025/2026 academic session

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially opened its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, providing financial support to students across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, announced that the application window will run from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Oluwatuyi encouraged all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to secure funding for their education, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to higher learning.

“The student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session officially opens on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and will close on Saturday, January 31, 2026,” the statement read.

NELFUND advised newly admitted students to apply using either their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a matriculation number, to facilitate a seamless application process.

The agency also appealed to tertiary institutions to show understanding regarding registration and tuition payment deadlines for students whose loan applications are being processed.

“Institutions are encouraged to show understanding in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement,” Oluwatuyi said.

He added that institutions that have not yet commenced their academic calendar for the new session should formally notify NELFUND to enable proper scheduling.

“Institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session should formally write to NELFUND with their approved academic calendar for scheduling flexibility,” the statement noted.

The Fund reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian student is denied access to tertiary education due to financial constraints.

“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,” it stated.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund was established to provide interest-free loans to students in tertiary institutions, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and reducing financial barriers for young Nigerians.