The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the deadline for applications for the 2025/2026 academic session to February 27, 2026.
The extension was announced in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, following the earlier deadline of January 31, 2026.
NELFUND said the decision was taken to allow more time for prospective applicants to complete and submit their applications without being excluded due to time constraints.
According to the Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the extension is aimed at ensuring that all eligible students have equal access to the loan scheme.
“The application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic session has been moved from January 31 to February 27, 2026, to give applicants additional time to complete the process,” the statement said.
Commenting on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, said the move reflects the fund’s commitment to inclusivity.
“This extension underscores our commitment to access and inclusiveness. We recognise that some applicants may need more time, and this decision ensures that every eligible Nigerian student has a fair opportunity,” he said.
The fund urged students who are yet to apply or who have incomplete applications to take advantage of the new deadline and ensure that all required information is submitted on or before February 27, 2026.
NELFUND was established to manage the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024. The scheme provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition and living expenses.
As of January 29, 2026, over ₦174.5bn has been disbursed under the programme.
