By Obasola Olatunde
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the official opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Sawyerr, the online portal will open on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and remain active until Saturday, January 31, 2026, covering the full academic admission cycle for the session.
He urged tertiary institutions to update and upload verified student data both new and returning on the Student Verification Portal, noting that accurate institutional information remains critical for a seamless application process and timely loan disbursement.
“To support a smooth rollout, institutions should ensure timely updates so students are not left out. The portal opens Oct. 23 and closes Jan. 31,” Sawyerr stated.
The NELFUND chief explained that both newly admitted students and returning undergraduates of accredited tertiary institutions are eligible to apply. First year students may use their admission or JAMB numbers in place of matriculation numbers for verification purposes.
Sawyerr further appealed to institutions to show flexibility with registration and fee deadlines for students awaiting loan disbursement, to prevent disruption in their academic activities.
He also encouraged schools yet to begin the 2025/2026 session to submit their academic calendars to NELFUND to aid in planning and disbursement schedules.
Additionally, he advised universities and colleges to implement temporary registration measures for students with pending loan approvals, ensuring that “no qualified applicant is denied access to education due to financial delays.”