Late applicants rejoice as NELFUND opens portal for extra days

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the deadline for student loan applications for the 2025/2026 academic session. The portal was originally set to close on February 27, after a previous extension.

In a statement, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the extension gives more students the chance to apply. The new closing date has not been disclosed.

The extension is meant to help institutions that are just starting their academic session and those that have not submitted their verified student lists. It also allows students more time to complete their applications and reaches those who recently learned about the scheme during nationwide awareness campaigns.

The statement said:

“In response to feedback from students and other stakeholders, and to accommodate the increase in applications, the Fund has approved additional days to ensure all eligible students can complete their applications, pending further management decisions.”

Institutions that haven’t started the 2025/2026 session must request an extension with their approved academic calendar.

Funds Disbursed So Far

NELFUND has so far given N183 billion in student loans, including fees for schools and allowances for students.

As of March 1, N107 billion was paid to institutions, and N76 billion as student allowances to 983,706 students in 265 tertiary institutions.

The student loan scheme started in 2023. Applications for the first cycle were accepted between May 2024 and February 21, 2025.

The scheme was created under the Access to Higher Education Act (2023), signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, to provide interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions.