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NELFUND Announces New Deadline for 2025/26 Student Loan Applications
The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially extended the deadline for submitting loan applications for the 2025/2026 academic year to February 27, 2026. This extension, declared in Abuja on January 29, aims to broaden access to tertiary education by accommodating students who may face challenges meeting the original cutoff date of January 31, 2026.
Rationale Behind the Extension
Following extensive consultations with applicants and key stakeholders in the education sector, NELFUND decided to prolong the application period. This move underscores the fund’s dedication to fostering inclusivity, especially for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who often require additional time to compile necessary documentation.
Akintunde Sawyer, Managing Director and CEO of NELFUND, emphasized, “Our priority is to ensure equitable access to education financing. Extending the deadline guarantees that no eligible Nigerian student is left behind due to procedural delays.”
About the NELFUND Loan Scheme
Launched under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the NELFUND initiative offers interest-free loans to students enrolled in public universities and other tertiary institutions. These loans cover tuition fees and, in some cases, living expenses, alleviating the financial strain on families amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
This program is a cornerstone of the government’s broader educational reforms, which seek to enhance enrollment rates, reduce dropout rates, and make higher education more affordable nationwide.
Encouraging More Applicants Amid Growing Demand
Since its inception, the scheme has witnessed a consistent rise in applications, reflecting the pressing need for financial support among students and their families, especially in light of inflation and rising unemployment. Education experts suggest that the extended deadline could significantly increase participation from rural communities, where access to digital resources and information remains limited.
Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Transparency
The extension announcement arrives amid ongoing discussions about the program’s long-term viability and transparency. While the government assures that the loans are interest-free and repayments only begin once graduates secure employment, critics have called for more explicit policies regarding enforcement, data privacy, and sustainable funding models.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Education have clarified that NELFUND is designed to complement-not replace-existing scholarships and grants. They reiterated that repayment obligations are deferred until beneficiaries obtain paid jobs, thereby protecting graduates from immediate financial burdens.
Next Steps and How to Apply
Students who have yet to apply or those who have started but not finalized their applications are urged to complete their submissions before the new deadline of February 27, 2026. All required documents and accurate information must be provided to ensure eligibility.
NELFUND continues to collaborate with educational institutions, government ministries, and financial partners to enhance the application process and will provide ongoing updates through its official communication platforms.
