NELFUND Keeps Portal Open As Loan Application Surge

Chidimma Uchegbu

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has approved an extension of its Student Loan Application Portal following a significant increase in awareness and nationwide demand generated by its ongoing sensitization campaign.

Director, Strategic Communications of NELFund, Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi announced this in a statement on Monday.

Oluwatuyi said this decision followed a reminder notice issued last week informing the public that the NELFUND Student Loan Application Portal would close on 27 February 2026.

In response to strong feedback from students and key stakeholders across the country, and in recognition of the surge in applications and inquiries, the Fund therefore approved some additional days to ensure all eligible students were given adequate opportunity to complete their applications, pending further management decisions and communications.

According to NELFund, the extension was specifically intended to accommodate students who required additional time to complete their applications, prospective applicants who became aware of the scheme during the recent nationwide sensitization engagements, institutions who newly commencing their 2025/2026 academic session and institutions who had not yet submitted their verified student lists.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable access.

“Our sensitization 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”, he said.

NELFUND therefore reiterated that institutions which had not yet commenced the 2025/2026 academic session must submit an official request for extension, accompanied by their approved academic calendar, for consideration.

Students were strongly encouraged to take advantage of this window to complete their applications via the official NELFUND portal before it eventually closes.

NELFUND further stated that it remained committed to transparency, accountability, and the delivery of sustainable student financing solutions that remove financial barriers to higher education in Nigeria.