NELFUND Extends Student Loan Application Deadline to February 27, 2026
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially extended the deadline for student loan applications for the 2025/2026 academic session to February 27, 2026.
The announcement, made through the Fund’s official communication channels, comes after the initial deadline of January 31, 2026, generated concerns among students who were yet to complete or submit their applications. The extension is part of NELFUND’s ongoing efforts to ensure inclusive access to educational financing for students across Nigeria, particularly those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. According to the Fund, the decision was driven by the need to provide ample time for eligible applicants to finalize their submissions and to encourage wider participation in the student loan scheme. Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director/CEO of NELFUND, emphasized that the Fund remains committed to supporting Nigerian students in accessing quality tertiary education. He noted that the extension reflects the organization’s dedication to fairness, transparency, and accessibility, particularly for students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education who rely on the loan scheme to fund their academic pursuits. The NELFUND scheme, legislated into law in 2024, provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions, covering tuition fees and living expenses. Repayment of the loans begins after graduation, once beneficiaries are employed, making it a critical tool for widening access to higher education for low-income families. Since its launch, NELFUND has actively collaborated with educational institutions to verify student data and streamline the application process. Applications for the 2025/2026 academic session opened in October 2025, with students initially expected to submit their forms by January 31, 2026. However, reports indicated that several students faced challenges completing the application process, prompting the Fund to extend the deadline by nearly a month. NELFUND has called on all prospective applicants to take advantage of this extension to avoid disqualification. The extension also aligns with broader government efforts to support access to tertiary education and reduce financial barriers for students across the country. By providing a structured and regulated loan scheme, the government seeks to ensure that every eligible student can pursue higher education without undue financial strain. NELFUND’s loan program has received widespread attention since its inception, with students and educational stakeholders praising the initiative for bridging the funding gap in Nigeria’s public tertiary education system. With the new deadline of February 27, 2026, more students are expected to complete applications and benefit from the scheme, ensuring that financial limitations do not hinder academic progress.
