The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says it has disbursed over ₦3.05 billion to 15,939 students across 12 tertiary institutions nationwide under the 2025/2026 academic session.
NELFUND disclosed this in an update on its ongoing tuition and upkeep payments, noting that the disbursements, carried out between January and February 2026, were aimed at ensuring uninterrupted academic activities and expanding access to higher education.
The Fund said beneficiary institutions include Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin and University of Port Harcourt.
Others are Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal University of Technology Owerri, University of Ilorin, Bayero University Kano, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike.
Additional beneficiaries include Osun State University and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, as well as several federal and state polytechnics and colleges of education.
According to the Fund, the strategic disbursements are designed to guarantee that students continue their studies without financial interruption while promoting equitable access to tertiary education nationwide.
Meanwhile, NELFUND has approved an extension of its Student Loan Application Portal following a surge in nationwide interest generated by its sensitisation campaign.
In a statement issued in Abuja on March 2, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, said the extension would allow eligible students additional time to complete their applications.
He said the decision would also accommodate institutions newly commencing the 2025/2026 academic session and those yet to submit their verified student lists.
NELFUND urged students to take advantage of the extended window to complete their applications through its official portal at www.nelf.gov.ng before final closure.
Sawyerr reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to transparency, accountability and sustainable student financing solutions to remove financial barriers to higher education.
NELFUND urged students to take advantage of the extended window to complete their applications before final closure.
