The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has become a major trending topic across Nigeria following its decision to extend the deadline for student loan applications for the 2025/2026 academic session. The announcement sparked widespread reactions from students, parents, and education stakeholders nationwide, many of whom welcomed the move as timely and necessary.
NELFUND, established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, was created to provide interest-free loans to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions. The programme is designed to improve access to higher education, especially for students from low-income backgrounds who struggle to fund tuition and related academic expenses.
According to reports by Punch, Premium Times, and The Guardian, the fund announced that the extension was approved after observing a surge in interest from students who were unable to complete their applications before the initial deadline. Officials explained that technical challenges, incomplete documentation, and limited awareness in some regions contributed to the delay experienced by applicants.
A spokesperson for the fund was quoted as saying the extension aims to ensure that no eligible student is unfairly excluded from benefiting from the loan scheme. “The extension provides additional time for students who encountered challenges during the application process to complete and submit their requests,” the official stated.
The new deadline now allows applicants more time to upload required documents, verify institutional details, and finalize submissions through the official NELFUND portal. Education analysts say the move reflects the government’s growing commitment to easing financial barriers in the education sector, particularly amid rising tuition costs across public and private institutions.
NELFUND has also urged students to apply only through its official digital platform and avoid third-party agents or individuals claiming to facilitate faster approvals. The fund reiterated that the application process remains free and that any demand for payment is fraudulent.
The trending conversation around NELFUND has also been fueled by social media discussions, with many students sharing their experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding the loan scheme. Some users praised the extension as student-friendly, while others called for improved transparency and faster processing timelines.
With the extended deadline now in effect, stakeholders are hopeful that more students will successfully access the loan, helping to reduce dropout rates and improve enrollment stability across Nigeria’s higher education institutions.
#NELFUND #NigerianEducation #StudentLoanNigeria #EducationNews #NigeriaStudents #HigherEducation #TrendingInNigeria #EducationPolicy