NELFUND Opens Student Loan Portal for 2025/2026 Academic Session, Extends Support to All Tertiary Institutions

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially announced the opening of its online application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, marking a major step toward expanding access to tertiary education funding across the country. The loan scheme, introduced as part of the Federal Government’s education reform agenda, aims to provide financial relief to students in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and technical institutions who are struggling to meet tuition and other academic-related expenses. According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, the loan application window will open on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and close on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The agency said the initiative reflects the government’s continued commitment to making education more accessible and affordable for all Nigerians, irrespective of socioeconomic background.

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In the statement, NELFUND urged fresh students who have just secured admission into tertiary institutions to proceed with their applications using either their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a matriculation number, which many of them might not yet possess at the time of applying. This provision, the agency said, was introduced to ensure that newly admitted students are not disadvantaged or excluded from accessing the loan. “All newly admitted students can now apply using their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of their Matriculation Number,” the statement clarified.

The Fund also appealed to tertiary institutions across Nigeria to demonstrate understanding and flexibility regarding registration and fee payment deadlines for students whose loan applications are currently being processed. According to NELFUND, institutions play a critical role in ensuring that students are not forced to drop out or defer admission due to delays in disbursement or loan verification procedures. “Institutions are encouraged to show understanding in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement,” the statement said. The Fund added that such cooperation would help ensure a smooth and equitable rollout of the student loan initiative nationwide.

Furthermore, NELFUND directed institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session to formally notify the Fund by submitting their approved academic calendar. This, it explained, would enable the agency to align loan processing and disbursement schedules with the varying academic timelines of schools. “Institutions that have not yet commenced their 2025/2026 academic session should formally write to NELFUND with their approved academic calendar for scheduling flexibility,” Oluwatuyi said.

In a special notice, NELFUND appealed to all tertiary institutions to consider adopting temporary registration measures for students awaiting the approval or disbursement of their loans. The agency said that while the application process has been simplified, some verifications may take time, hence the need for schools to exercise patience and allow affected students to attend classes and participate in academic activities pending final confirmation. “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,” the statement emphasized.

The opening of the application portal comes after months of anticipation following the passage of the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, which expanded the eligibility criteria and improved the operational framework for managing student loans. The amendment was aimed at ensuring wider coverage, enhanced transparency, and sustainability of the loan scheme, which had initially faced criticism for its limited accessibility and bureaucratic hurdles.

The 2025/2026 loan application process, according to NELFUND, will be conducted entirely online through its dedicated digital portal, designed to ensure a transparent, user-friendly, and efficient system. Applicants are required to submit relevant personal, academic, and financial details, along with verifiable information about their guarantors. Once approved, the loans will be disbursed directly to the students’ institutional accounts to cover tuition and other approved educational costs. The Fund assured that no eligible student would be denied access to financial support provided that all requirements are met.

In addition to supporting tuition payments, the loan is also expected to cover ancillary expenses such as accommodation, books, and research materials, depending on institutional arrangements. The initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises education, youth empowerment, and social inclusion as critical drivers of national development. The government has described the student loan program as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital, designed to reduce inequality and create opportunities for young people across all regions.

NELFUND’s leadership has consistently reiterated its commitment to accountability and efficiency in the administration of the scheme. The agency has established a robust monitoring framework to track loan utilization, repayment, and compliance among beneficiaries. Repayment, as earlier outlined, is to commence two years after completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, with flexible options designed to accommodate different income levels and employment conditions.

Education experts have welcomed the reopening of the loan portal as a positive development for the country’s tertiary education system, especially at a time when many families are grappling with rising tuition fees and economic hardship. Analysts, however, cautioned that for the scheme to succeed, NELFUND must maintain transparency and avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks that could discourage applicants or delay disbursements. Stakeholders also emphasized the importance of close collaboration between the Fund, tertiary institutions, and financial regulators to ensure seamless implementation.

For many students, the opening of the loan portal represents renewed hope and an opportunity to continue their education without the fear of financial exclusion. With the January 31, 2026 deadline still months away, NELFUND has urged all eligible students to apply early and ensure the accuracy of their application details to avoid processing delays. The agency reaffirmed its mission to make higher education accessible to every Nigerian willing to learn, declaring that no student should be denied education because of financial hardship.