The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to a statement signed by Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, the portal will be open from Thursday, October 23, 2025, and will close on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
The agency said the move is part of its efforts to promote inclusive access to higher education by providing financial support to returning and newly admitted students of accredited tertiary institutions across the country.
“NELFUND appreciates the continued cooperation of tertiary institutions nationwide and seeks their further collaboration to ensure a smooth and inclusive loan process for all eligible students,” the statement read.
It urged institutions to update and upload verified records of both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal, stressing that the step was vital for students to successfully apply and benefit from the scheme.
The statement outlined key details of the process, noting that fresh students may apply using either their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number in place of a matriculation number.
It also encouraged tertiary institutions to exercise flexibility in enforcing registration and payment deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement.
Institutions that have yet to commence their 2025/2026 academic session were advised to formally notify NELFUND with their approved academic calendar for scheduling flexibility.
Furthermore, NELFUND appealed to all tertiary institutions to consider temporary registration measures for students whose loan applications are still being processed to ensure that no student is denied access to education due to financial constraints.
The statement listed official communication channels for technical support and inquiries as follows:
Email: data@nelf.gov.ng
X (formerly Twitter): @nelfund
Instagram: @nelfund
Facebook & LinkedIn: Nigerian Education Loan Fund – NELFUND
Website: http://www.nelf.gov.ng
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, established under the Student Loan Act, aims to provide accessible and sustainable financial assistance to students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
