Ahead of the official opening of the students loan portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has called on accredited tertiary institutions across the country to update their existing student records and upload the details of all their students.

The agency tasked institutions to upload students’ records for both returning and newly admitted students on the NELFUND Student Verification Portal.

A statement by the Director, Strategic Communications, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said only students whose details have been duly uploaded and verified through their respective institutions will be eligible to apply for and benefit from the loan scheme.

The spokesperson stated that this proactive exercise is designed to ensure a seamless verification and loan application process for students once the portal opens.

She stressed that institutions are required to ensure that each student’s data is accurately captured and uploaded using the admission number or any other unique and verifiable identifier.

“NELFUND recognises the vital role that tertiary institutions play in the success of the Education Loan Scheme and seeks their continued cooperation and partnership in achieving the collective goal of expanding access to higher education for all eligible Nigerian students.

“As such, NELFUND urges all institutions to commence and complete the upload process promptly, designating appropriate officers to oversee this critical exercise in line with the provided technical guidelines.

“This collaboration is key to ensuring that no eligible student is left behind as the Fund prepares to open its application portal for the new academic session,” the statement reads.