NELFUND Disburses ₦1.5 Billion to 6,129 Students: How to Apply for Nigeria’s Student Loan Scheme
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed ₦1.5 billion to three tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session, benefiting 6,129 students.
According to NELFUND, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) received ₦1.36 billion for 5,396 students, Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology received ₦104.53 million for 680 students, while the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences received ₦36.49 million for 53 students. The institutions have confirmed receipt and distribution of the funds to eligible beneficiaries.
How to Become a NELFUND Beneficiary
Eligible Nigerian students can apply by following these steps:
- Visit the official NELFUND application portal.
- Create an account using your NIN, email address, and phone number.
- Verify your identity and provide your academic details.
- Select your institution and upload any required documents.
- Apply for the Institutional Loan (Tuition). If you also need financial support for daily expenses, tick the option for the Monthly Upkeep Allowance during registration.
- Submit your application and monitor its status through the portal.
Once approved, tuition fees are paid directly to your institution, while approved upkeep allowances are sent to the student’s bank account.
“The scheme is designed to ensure that no qualified Nigerian student is denied access to higher education because of financial challenges.” — NELFUND.
What Students Should Know
While tuition payments continue, some beneficiaries have expressed concerns over delays in receiving their monthly upkeep allowance. NELFUND says it is introducing a digital token payment system to improve transparency, reduce payment errors, and give students greater control over tuition disbursements.
The latest ₦1.5 billion NELFUND disbursement demonstrates the Federal Government’s continued commitment to expanding access to higher education. Eligible students who have not yet applied are encouraged to complete their applications early to benefit from the tuition loan and optional upkeep allowance.
- NELFUND Official Portal: https://nelf.gov.ng
- Apply for a Student Loan: https://portal.nelf.gov.ng
- Federal Ministry of Education: https://education.gov.ng
