The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reopened its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, offering renewed hope for thousands of Nigerian students seeking financial aid to pursue tertiary education.
In an official announcement, the Fund revealed that the online portal will be accessible from Thursday, October 23, 2025, through January 31, 2026—providing a three-month window for eligible students to submit their applications.
NELFUND says the expanded loan program is designed to make education accessible to all, especially amid the rising cost of tuition and living expenses across public institutions. The interest-free scheme allows students to focus on their studies while deferring repayment until after graduation and gainful employment.
Under the new guidelines, first-time applicants can now apply using their Admission Number or JAMB Registration Number, even if they haven’t received a matriculation number.
All accredited universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are required to upload and verify student records through NELFUND’s Student Verification System (SVS). Failure to do so could make students from non-compliant institutions ineligible.
Institutions yet to resume academic activities have been directed to submit their approved calendars to NELFUND for proper scheduling and loan coordination.
Earlier in the year, NELFUND published a list of 203 tertiary institutions that failed to upload student data during the 2024/2025 cycle, warning that repeated non-compliance could lead to suspension from the scheme. The agency stressed that institutional cooperation remains vital for smooth processing of applications.
The reopening of the portal comes at a time when financial strain continues to hinder access to quality education. NELFUND’s initiative seeks to close that gap by ensuring that no Nigerian student is denied education due to a lack of funds.
Beyond personal impact, analysts believe the initiative will boost enrolment rates and strengthen Nigeria’s human capital, positioning education as a key driver for national development.
Portal Opens: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Closes: Friday, January 31, 2026
Requirement: Ensure your institution has verified your student data before submission.
As thousands of students prepare to log on, NELFUND emphasises one clear message: access to the loan depends not only on eligibility but also on data accuracy and institutional readiness.
In a country where many still struggle to afford tertiary education, this new loan cycle could mark a defining step toward equal educational opportunity for all.
