The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reminded eligible students across the country that its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session will close on February 27, 2026.
In a public notice, the Fund urged prospective applicants to complete and submit their applications before the deadline to avoid missing out on the opportunity to benefit from the federal government’s student loan scheme.
According to the notice, the portal — accessible via http://www.nelf.gov.ng — remains open for applications but will shut at the close of business on February 27.
“Application closing soon for the 2025/2026 session. Deadline: February 27, 2026. Apply now,” the statement read.
NELFUND, which was established to expand access to higher education through financial support, said the loan scheme is designed to ease the burden of tuition and other academic-related expenses for qualified Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
The Fund also issued a special directive to tertiary institutions that are yet to commence the 2025 academic session. It advised such institutions to formally request an extension if they wish their students to remain eligible after the general deadline.
Institutions seeking an extension are required to submit an official request accompanied by their approved academic calendar for consideration by the Fund.
“Institutions that have not yet commenced the 2025 academic session should submit an official request for an extension, along with their approved academic calendar, for consideration,” the notice added.
Education stakeholders have described the student loan initiative as a major intervention aimed at improving access, equity, and retention in Nigeria’s higher education system, particularly for students from low- and middle-income backgrounds.
Students have therefore been encouraged to act promptly and ensure all required documentation is uploaded correctly on the portal before the February 27 deadline.
The hashtag #NelfundStudentLoan has continued to trend on social media as awareness grows ahead of the portal closure.
