The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the deadline for its student loan application portal following a significant increase in applications, fueled by nationwide awareness campaigns.
In a statement released Monday, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, explained that the extension follows an earlier public notice indicating that the portal would close on February 27, 2026.
Oluwatuyi noted that the decision to prolong the application period was prompted by high demand from students and other stakeholders, as well as a notable rise in enquiries and submissions.
She emphasized that the extension provides additional time for eligible students to complete their applications and that further updates regarding the timeline will be communicated by the management in due course.
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Oluwatuyi said the extension is designed to support multiple groups of applicants, including students who need more time, those recently informed about the scheme through sensitization initiatives, and institutions that have just started the 2025/2026 academic session.
She also highlighted that the extension accommodates institutions that are yet to submit verified student lists.
Commenting on the development, NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to providing equitable access to higher education funding.
He explained that recent awareness activities conducted across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have significantly boosted participation in the student loan programme.
The statement further emphasized that the extension ensures all eligible students have a fair chance to apply.
Institutions that have not yet started the 2025/2026 academic session are encouraged to submit a formal request for an extension along with their approved academic calendar for review.
Students were urged to utilize the additional time to complete their applications through NELFUND’s official portal before the window closes.
The fund reiterated its dedication to transparency, accountability, and sustainable financing initiatives aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education in Nigeria.
