The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the deadline for its Student Loan Application Portal following a surge in applications nationwide driven by its sensitisation campaign.
The decision comes just days after the Fund had reminded applicants that the portal was initially set to close on February 27, 2026.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND said the extension was approved in response to strong feedback and growing participation from students and stakeholders across the country.
According to the agency, the additional time will enable all eligible students to complete their applications, pending further directives from management.
The Fund explained that the extension is intended to support students who need more time to finalise their submissions, those who recently became aware of the programme, institutions that have just begun the 2025/2026 academic session, and schools yet to provide verified student data.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, noted that awareness efforts across the six geopolitical zones significantly boosted interest in the scheme.
He stated that the extension aligns with the Fund’s mandate to broaden access to tertiary education financing and ensure fairness for all qualified applicants.
NELFUND also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and sustainable student funding solutions aimed at reducing financial barriers to higher education.
As of the initial closing date, the Fund disclosed it had received 1.69 million applications and disbursed ₦183.8 billion to beneficiaries.
Institutions that have not yet commenced the 2025/2026 academic session were advised to formally request an extension and submit their approved academic calendar. Students were also encouraged to complete their applications through the official portal before the revised deadline.
NELFUND was established to manage the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme, signed into law by Bola Tinubu in April 2024. The initiative provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition and living expenses, with repayment expected after graduation and employment.