NELFUND Extends Deadline for 2025/2026 Academic Year Applications

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, known as NELFUND, has decided to extend the application deadline for students seeking financial support through its loan program.

Originally scheduled for January 31, the new deadline is now set for February 27, 2026, as indicated in a statement from Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the spokesperson for the Fund.

The application portal for this second cycle opened on October 23, 2025, allowing more time for prospective applicants to complete their submissions.

This extension aims to ensure that eligible students have enough time to finalize their applications. Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, expressed that this step reflects NELFUND's ongoing commitment to inclusivity and increased accessibility for all students.

"We recognize that some applicants may need extra time to complete their applications, and this extension guarantees that every eligible Nigerian student has a fair chance to benefit from our Fund," Mr. Sawyerr stated.

He also encouraged any potential applicants who have not yet submitted their applications or completed their processes to take advantage of this extended deadline.

Established in 2023, NELFUND opened its first cycle of applications between May 2024 and February 21, 2025. Immediately after taking office, President Bola Tinubu endorsed the Access to Higher Education Act (2023), which provides interest-free loans for Nigerian students attending public tertiary institutions.

The legislation laid the groundwork for NELFUND's establishment, overseeing the application process and disbursement of loans for students. It includes provisions for the Fund to receive financial support from various channels such as donations, grants, and other revenue sources.

Since its launch, NELFUND has disbursed up to N161.97 billion to support 864,798 students across 263 institutions nationwide. According to Mr. Sawyerr, the Fund has since received a total of 1,361,011 loan applications from students across Nigeria.