Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) extends the deadline for student loan applications for the 2025/2026 academic session to 27 February 2026, offering relief to thousands of prospective beneficiaries across the country.
The extension, announced in Abuja on Thursday, shifts the earlier closing date of 31 January, allowing eligible students additional time to complete their submissions and upload required documentation.
In a statement signed by the Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the Fund says the decision aligns with its mandate to promote inclusive access to tertiary education.
NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, says the move reflects responsiveness to applicants’ concerns.
“This extension underscores our commitment to inclusivity and access,” Sawyerr says. “We recognise that some applicants require additional time to finalise their applications, and this decision ensures no eligible Nigerian student is excluded due to tight timelines.”
The Fund urges students who have not started or completed their applications to use the additional window to ensure accuracy and compliance with submission requirements.
Education analysts say the extension could improve participation rates, particularly among students from underserved communities who often face administrative and digital access challenges.
NELFUND reiterates that only applications completed before the new deadline will be processed, advising students to avoid last-minute submissions to reduce errors.
The federal student loan scheme remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s education financing reforms, aimed at widening access to higher education and reducing financial barriers for low-income households.
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