Abuja, Nigeria – October 21, 2025: The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially opened its online application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, offering interest-free loans to full-time students in federal tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
In a statement released by the Presidency and signed by Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, the loan application portal will remain open from Thursday, October 23, 2025, until Saturday, January 31, 2026.
This marks the second phase of the federal government’s student loan scheme, following a successful first cycle that supported over 1.4 million students nationwide. The initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s effort to make higher education more accessible and affordable for Nigerian youths.
The NELFUND loan is designed to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and monthly upkeep allorwances. All disbursements will be made directly to institutions and students to prevent misuse.
The fund is completely interest-free, requiring no guarantors or processing fees. Eligible applicants must provide their National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and proof of admission into a federal tertiary institution.
However, students who have previously defaulted on a loan or those dismissed for examination malpractice or misconduct will not be eligible to apply.
NELFUND expressed appreciation to tertiary institutions for their ongoing cooperation and urged them to continue supporting the scheme. Institutions are required to update and upload verified student records—both new and returning students—on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal to enable applicants to complete their loan process successfully.
The agency also appealed to institutions to exercise flexibility with registration and fee payment deadlines, especially for students awaiting loan disbursement.
“We appeal to all institutions to consider temporary registration measures for students whose loan applications are being processed, to ensure that no student loses access to education due to financial challenges,” the statement said.
For institutions that have not yet begun their 2025/2026 academic session, NELFUND requested that they submit their approved academic calendar to the agency to ensure a coordinated schedule for the loan process.
How to Contact NELFUND
For questions or technical support, students and institutions can reach NELFUND through the following official channels:
- Email: data@nelf.gov.ng
- X (Twitter): @nelfund
- Instagram: @nelfund
- Facebook & LinkedIn: Nigerian Education Loan Fund – NELFUND
- Website: www.nelf.gov.ng
NELFUND reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian student is denied education because of financial hardship.
“Our mission is to make education accessible and equitable. A student’s financial background should never determine their ability to learn and succeed,” Mrs Oluwatuyi said.
The agency emphasised that continuous collaboration between government institutions, universities, and students is key to achieving a Nigeria where every young person can pursue higher education without financial barriers.
