By Felix Khanoba
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has opened its online portal for student loan applications for the 2025/2026 academic year, giving qualified students across the country access to financial support for their studies.
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The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Sawyerr, the application window will run from Thursday, October 23, 2025, through Saturday, January 31, 2026, covering the entire admission cycle for the session.
He commended tertiary institutions for their cooperation so far and encouraged continued collaboration to ensure the process remains smooth, transparent, and inclusive for both fresh and returning students.
The NELFUND boss reminded institutions to upload and update verified student data — including those of new intakes and returning learners — on the Student Verification Portal, as this step is essential for applicants to access loan benefits.
He stressed that accurate institutional records were vital to the success of the National Education Loan Programme.
“To support a seamless rollout, institutions should note key details: portal opens Oct. 23, 2025, and closes Jan. 31, 2026. Timely updates will ensure students are not left out,” Sawyerr said.
He added that both newly admitted students and those already enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions are eligible to apply.
For first-year students, Sawyerr explained that either admission numbers or JAMB registration numbers can be used for verification instead of matriculation numbers.
He also appealed to schools to show flexibility with registration and tuition payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursements to prevent disruptions to their studies due to financial constraints.
Additionally, Sawyerr urged institutions yet to commence the 2025/2026 session to forward their academic calendars to NELFUND for consideration in the disbursement schedule.
He advised that temporary registration arrangements be made for students with pending applications to ensure that no eligible candidate misses out on education opportunities because of financial delays.
“For technical support or enquiries, institutions can contact NELFUND via email at data@nelf.gov.ng,” he added.
