The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has officially extended the application deadline for student loans for the 2025/2026 academic session to February 27, 2026, giving prospective applicants nearly an extra month to complete and submit their forms.
The extension shifts the earlier closing date from January 31, 2026 and was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications for NELFUND.
NELFUND said the deadline extension is intended to ensure that eligible Nigerian students are not excluded from the student loan programme simply because they needed more time to finish their applications or faced technical hurdles during the submission process.
In the statement, NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, emphasized that the decision underscores the Fund’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable access to education financing for all qualified applicants.
“This extension reflects our commitment to inclusivity and access,” Sawyerr said, adding that prospective applicants who have not yet applied, or who started but did not complete their applications should use the additional time to finalise their submissions by the new deadline.
What This Means for Students
New Deadline: February 27, 2026
Original Deadline: January 31, 2026
Who It Affects: Students applying for the Nigerian student loan for the 2025/2026 academic year
Action Required: Ensure applications are fully completed and submitted before the new deadline to remain eligible.
- Nigeria Evacuates First Ebola Patient to Switzerland as Health Minister Confirms Medical Flight
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s first confirmed Ebola patient in more… - EFCC Raids Four Illegal Lithium Plants in Ogun, Arrests 14 Chinese Nationals and Nigerian
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 15…
How to Apply
Eligible students are encouraged to visit the official NELFUND student loan portal and ensure that all required details—including academic information, identification numbers, and supporting documentation—are entered correctly before the extended deadline.
The Fund also continues to share updates through its verified communication channels, including email and social media platforms, for applicants and the public.
