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

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.

According to a statement signed by Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, the initiative aims to enhance access to higher education and ensure that no Nigerian student is denied the opportunity to study due to financial challenges.

NELFUND commended the cooperation of tertiary institutions across the country and called for continued collaboration to guarantee a smooth and inclusive loan application process. Institutions are required to update and upload verified records of both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal, as this step is crucial for students to complete their loan applications.

The statement further highlighted that fresh students may apply using either their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a matriculation number. It also urged institutions to exercise flexibility regarding registration and fee payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement.

For institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session, NELFUND requested formal communication accompanied by their approved academic calendar to allow scheduling adjustments.

The Fund appealed to tertiary institutions to adopt temporary registration measures for students whose loan applications are being processed, emphasizing that financial constraints should not hinder access to education.