The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially announced the full digitisation of its Student Loan Application System (SLAS), a move expected to revolutionise how student loans are processed across the country. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, NELFUND directed all accredited higher institutions in Nigeria to urgently onboard the digital platform in order to verify and upload student data critical to the loan approval and disbursement process.
According to the notice, institutions must now request access to the upgraded SLAS platform by emailing registration@nelf.gov.ng. Once access is granted, designated officers at each institution will be able to verify loan applicants’ data, monitor application statuses, and ensure prompt loan disbursement through a real-time dashboard.
“This is a critical step that ensures the timely processing and disbursement of approved student loans,” said Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND. “Institutions are urged to take immediate action in the interest of their students.”
The new system, aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability, has been designed to reduce the bottlenecks historically associated with student loan processing in Nigeria.
For student applicants, NELFUND clarified that a “Verified” status on their portal indicates a successful preliminary review. However, the final approval and release of funds will only occur once the respective institutions upload and confirm student data. Once completed, the application status will change to “Disbursed,” reflecting that tuition fees have been paid.
The directive comes at a crucial time as thousands of students across Nigeria prepare for the 2025/2026 academic session, many of whom rely on government-backed loans to fund their education.
Institutions yet to comply are urged not to delay, as their participation is mandatory for the finalisation of loan applications.
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