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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced another extension of the application window for its student loan programme for the 2025/2026 academic session, giving more Nigerian students the opportunity to complete their submissions.
According to officials, the extension applies specifically to tertiary institutions that formally requested additional time to enable their eligible students to finalize their applications on the student loan portal.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the agency said the decision was taken after several institutions appealed for more time to upload and verify students’ details on the application portal.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that qualified students across Nigeria are not left out of the loan programme.
He said the extension demonstrates the government’s determination to expand access to higher education and remove financial barriers that prevent many students from continuing their studies.
NELFUND advised students in the affected institutions to take advantage of the extended deadline and complete their applications through the official loan portal as soon as possible.
The agency emphasized that the initiative aims to ensure that students who require financial support for tuition and other academic needs are able to access the programme without unnecessary delays.
Meanwhile, NELFUND has commended the management of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, for allowing students benefiting from the loan scheme to participate in their first semester examinations.
The university issued a directive permitting students whose loan status on the NELFUND platform is marked “Verified” or “Disbursed” to sit for their examinations after presenting proof of their application status.
Sawyerr described the move as a “student-centred approach” that aligns with the goal of the student loan programme—to ensure that no Nigerian student is denied access to education because of financial constraints.
He also encouraged other universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country to adopt similar supportive policies while the loan application process continues.
The NELFUND student loan scheme was introduced by the Federal Government to support students in tertiary institutions by providing financial assistance for tuition and other educational costs.
Officials say the programme remains part of a broader effort to expand access to higher education and promote fairness across Nigeria’s university system.
With the latest extension, eligible students are advised to complete their applications before the portal finally closes, as further extensions may not be guaranteed.
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