Abuja, Nigeria – September 29, 2025 – The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) hereby announces that the application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session will officially close on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This closure marks the conclusion of the second full cycle of the scheme and will enable the Fund to finalize processing of pending applications and upkeep payments.

In line with NELFUND’s mandate to support equitable access to higher education across Nigeria, the Fund is also releasing timelines for the commencement of applications into the new academic session:

1. Closure of Current Session Portal

The 2024/2025 portal will close on September 30, 2025. No further student applications will be accepted after this date.

2. Opening of New Application Cycle

The portal will reopen in the second week of October 2025 for fresh applications into the 2025/2026 academic session. This cycle will remain open until January 2026.

3. Institutional Records Update

Institutions are hereby informed to update their students’ records on the Student Verification System (SVS) to enable students to apply for the 2025/2026 academic session.

4. Institutions Yet to Commence New Sessions

Any institution that has not commenced a new academic session within the stated application timeline should notify NELFUND for additional considerations to accommodate its students.

5. Automatic Cancellation of Unverified Applications

All applications for the 2024/2025 academic session that remain unverified by institutions after October 8, 2025, will be automatically canceled. Students in this category are advised to reapply for their school managements to update the verification records on the SVS for the 2025/2026 cycle. Affected students will be required to submit fresh applications for the 2025/2026 academic year.