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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has extended the application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic session to February 27, 2026.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, January 29, the Fund explained that the original deadline of January 31, 2026, was moved to give applicants additional time to complete and submit their forms.
The Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the extension ensures that all eligible students have a fair opportunity to apply without being disadvantaged by time constraints.
The statement read: “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced an extension of the application deadline for the 2025/2026 academic session from January 31, 2026, to February 27, 2026.”
Speaking on the decision, NELFUND Managing Director/CEO Akintunde Sawyerr said the extension demonstrates the Fund’s commitment to inclusivity and access.
He noted that some applicants require extra time to finalise their submissions, and this ensures all eligible students can benefit.
NELFUND urged students who have not yet applied or completed their applications to take advantage of the extended deadline and submit all required information by February 27, 2026.
The Fund hinted that further updates would be shared through official communication channels.
Established under the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme enacted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April 2024, NELFUND provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition and living expenses.
Applications opened in May 2024 to support students from low-income backgrounds, with repayment required after graduation and employment.
As of January 29, 2026, the total amount disbursed under the scheme stood at ₦174,561,719,810.
