ABUJA — The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially opened its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, giving students across the country the opportunity to apply for financial support to pursue their tertiary education.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, the application window will be open from Thursday, October 23, 2025, to Saturday, January 31, 2026.
NELFUND advised fresh students to use their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number when applying, in place of a matriculation number which they may not yet have.
The agency also called on tertiary institutions to show understanding and flexibility with registration and tuition fee payment deadlines, especially for students awaiting loan disbursement.
“Institutions are encouraged to be considerate in enforcing registration and fee payment deadlines for students whose loan applications are still being processed,” the statement read.
It further urged schools that have not yet begun their 2025/2026 academic session to formally notify NELFUND and share their approved academic calendar to enable proper scheduling and coordination.
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“We appeal to all institutions to adopt temporary registration measures for students awaiting loan approval to ensure no student loses access to education due to financial constraints,” the statement added.
The launch of the loan portal marks another step in the government’s effort to make higher education more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that students from all backgrounds can pursue their studies without financial barriers.
