The Federal Government has announced a major expansion of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to reach more students across the country.
This effort specifically targets indigent students in public tertiary institutions who face the risk of dropping out due to rising costs.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, shared these updates on Monday, March 23, 2026.
He noted that the government is determined to ensure that financial constraints do not end the academic dreams of qualified Nigerian youths.
NELFUND has already disbursed over ₦184 billion to 1.5 million students across 265 institutions.
Currently, the fund is processing a surge of new applications following a recent extension of the 2025/2026 submission deadline.
Digital Upgrades and Deadline Extensions for Inclusivity
Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, noted that the scheme is evolving to become more user-friendly.
The fund recently opened a specialized window for institutions that requested more time to upload their verified student lists.
“This extension reflects our commitment to inclusivity and access,” Sawyerr stated. “We want to ensure every eligible Nigerian student has a fair opportunity to benefit from the fund,” he added.
The government has also upgraded the NELFUND digital portal to make the process more transparent.
Students can now apply for both institutional fees and a monthly upkeep allowance of ₦20,000 directly through the website.
Furthermore, the authorities alleged that these upgrades would eliminate the “bottlenecks” that previously delayed payments.
The new system allows students to track their applications in real-time, ensuring that funds reach the right accounts without middle-men.
However, some education stakeholders have asked for even stricter monitoring to prevent any misuse of the funds.
They believe that a clear repayment structure is necessary to keep the scheme running for future generations of students.
This initiative provides a safety net for the education of young Nigerians during tough economic times.
A more educated workforce leads to a stronger national economy, which eventually creates more jobs for everyone.
We encourage our eligible Nigerian readers to take advantage of this scheme, and by so doing they are investing in a more secure professional future for themselves.
The official website and application portal for NELFUND is: https://nelf.gov.ng
Key Application Details for Your Readers:
- Registration Requirements: Students need their JAMB Admission Letter, National Identity Number (NIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to begin.
- What is Covered: The portal allows students to apply for 100% of their institutional fees (paid directly to the school) and a monthly upkeep allowance (paid directly to the student).
- Support Email: For technical issues, students are advised to contact info@nelf.gov.ng.
Do you think the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep allowance is enough to cover the basic living costs of a student in Nigeria today? What amount do you recommend to government should be more realistic?
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