Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the Student Loan Application Portal in response to the significant nationwide interest generated by its ongoing awareness campaign.
Last week, a reminder was issued that the portal was scheduled to close on February 27, 2026, prompting the extension.
NELFUND has added extra days to the application period in response to strong feedback from students and stakeholders, giving eligible students more time to apply.
On Monday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, issued a statement announcing the extension.
The statement read in part, “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has approved an extension of its Student Loan Application Portal following a significant increase in awareness and nationwide demand generated by its ongoing sensitisation campaign.
“The Fund has approved some additional days to ensure all eligible students are given adequate opportunity to complete their applications, pending further management decisions and communications.”
According to the statement, the extension targets students who need extra time, prospective applicants made aware of the scheme through recent outreach, institutions that have just begun their 2025/2026 academic session, and schools yet to submit verified student lists.
“Our sensitisation efforts across the six geopolitical zones have significantly increased awareness and participation.
“Therefore, in line with our mandate to expand access to tertiary education financing, we have approved an extension to ensure that all eligible students have a fair and equal opportunity to apply,” said NELFUND Managing Director and Chief Executive, Akintunde Sawyerr.
NELFUND has advised institutions that have not yet started the 2025/2026 session to submit an official extension request along with their approved academic calendar. Students are encouraged to complete their applications via the official portal before it eventually closes.
The Fund stressed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and providing sustainable student financing solutions aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education in Nigeria.
At the close of the portal on Friday, NELFUND had received 1.69 million applications and disbursed N183.8bn.
NELFUND was established to administer the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme, enacted into law by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024. Under the initiative, the Federal Government provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition and living expenses.
Applications opened in May 2024 to remove financial barriers to higher education, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. Beneficiaries are required to repay the loans after completing their education and securing employment.
