Abuja, Nigeria — March 12, 2026: The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has approved an extension of its student loan application portal for institutions that formally requested additional time to complete the process for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The decision, announced on Thursday, aims to give eligible students in affected institutions more time to finalize their applications for the federal government–backed student loan programme.
According to NELFUND, the extension applies only to institutions that officially wrote to the Fund requesting additional time. The move is intended to ensure that students who were unable to complete their applications earlier due to institutional or administrative delays are not excluded from the scheme.
Commitment to Student Access
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, emphasized the organisation’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through financial support.
He stated that the Fund remains focused on ensuring that qualified students across participating institutions can benefit from the student loan programme.
> “NELFUND remains committed to ensuring that eligible students across participating institutions have the opportunity to access the student loan programme,” Sawyerr said.
Opportunity for Eligible Students
NELFUND encouraged students in the affected institutions to take advantage of the extended timeline by completing their applications through the official student loan portal.
The Fund noted that the student loan initiative is designed to remove financial barriers that often prevent Nigerian students from pursuing higher education. By providing structured financial support, the programme seeks to help students focus on their studies without the burden of immediate tuition costs.
Focus on Transparency and Sustainability
Officials also reiterated that the Fund remains dedicated to operating with transparency, accountability, and efficiency while delivering sustainable student financing solutions nationwide.
The programme forms part of broader efforts to support access to tertiary education and strengthen human capital development in Nigeria.
Contact and Further Information
Students and institutions seeking further information about the extension or the application process can contact NELFUND through its official communication channels, including email at info@nelf.gov.ng and its social media platforms.
The announcement was signed by Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND.
With the extension now in place, students in eligible institutions are expected to complete their applications promptly to benefit from the programme.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.