The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has directed accredited tertiary institutions to verify and upload student data on the Student Loan Application System (SLAS). The Fund warned that it will block disbursement of approved student loans unless this critical requirement is fully met.

This landmark directive followed the recent upgrade of the SLAS portal, which the Fund has now fully digitized to accelerate loan processing and improve transparency for both institutions and applicants.

SLAS Upgrade Marks A New Era in Loan Processing

Through a post on its official X account on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, NELFUND announced:

“The Student Loan Application System (SLAS) has now been fully digitised to streamline and accelerate the student loan processing experience for institutions and applicants… All accredited institutions are now required to request access… to verify and upload student data related to loan applications. This is a critical step that ensures the timely processing and disbursement of approved student loans.”

That system upgrade brings two-fold benefits:

1. Nitpicks and missing documentation get flagged immediately.

2. Institutions and applicants enjoy a real-time dashboard to track status from verification through to disbursement.

 Universities Must ACT Fast—Loan Funds Hang in the Balance

NELFUND emphasized that schools which have not yet been onboarded must send access requests to registration@nelf.gov.ng, “without delay.” Once institutions receive access, they must:

• Verify student-supplied data

• Upload that data to SLAS

• Monitor application progress until final approval

The Fund stressed that verification and upload are non-negotiable. Approved loans won’t be disbursed unless institutions complete this step. Until final processing, student status will remain at “Verified”—not “Disbursed.” Only after the institution uploads data will SLAS update student records to “Disbursed,” indicating funds have been released to cover tuition and upkeep.

 By the Numbers: How the Scheme Has Grown

Since the launch of its loan portal on May 24, 2024, NELFUND disbursed ₦56.85 billion to 298,124 students across 198 institutions, covering institutional and upkeep fees through May 2025. That brings the average payout per student close to ₦191,000.

This outstanding scale underscores the importance of getting institutional data handling right—so students avoid delays or loss of funding.

 Expansion into Vocational Training: New Frontiers

NelFund is expanding its loan scheme to cover vocational and skills acquisition centres, with pilots launching in Enugu State between late June and mid-July 2025.

At a sensitization event in Enugu, the Fund’s Executive Director of Operations explained that loans for vocational training would cover:

• Tuition and institutional fees

• Upkeep allowances

• Transport costs

• Starter tools upon course completion

This expansion already encompasses more than 10 states, with Enugu selected for its well-equipped training hubs—such as the MSME Clinics Fashion and Garment Hub with over 150 industrial sewing machines and capacity to train up to 500 individuals. The Fund will integrate vocational data in SLAS, so applicants from eligible states can apply and be directed to approved skill centres.

NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, emphasized that this follows a federal directive to ensure institutions demonstrate readiness before rollout.

 Institutional Portal Integration: One-Stop Access on the Horizon

Alongside data-upload requirements, NELFUND announced plans to integrate its loan process directly into institutional portals.

This means students in future will be able to apply for loans from within their university or college platforms—without toggling back and forth between multiple systems. NELFUND will deploy IT teams to campuses to support this portal integration and tighten collaboration.

As MS Sawyerr stated: “Students should be able to apply for loans through their school’s platform, making the process more convenient and accessible.”

Why These Steps Matter Now

1. Guard against leakages: Real-time verification minimizes errors and potential fraud.

2. Ensure timeliness: Institutions must complete verification quickly to get funds flowing before registration deadlines.

3. Simplify user experience: Centralizing processes in school portals eases student stress.

4. Scale equitably: A unified, digitized portal supports both university and vocational applicants.

In sum, the verification stage is the final administrative bottleneck preventing approved loans from reaching students—and the upgraded SLAS completes that loop.

What Happens Next for Stakeholders

Institutions should:

• Email NELFUND immediately if not yet onboarding

• Complete verification and upload for every loan applicant

• Monitor progress and follow up promptly on flagged applications

Vocational centres should:

• Apply for enrollment in SLAS

• Share operational details and projections so NELFUND can price loans accurately

Students should:

• Track application status in SLAS—look for “Disbursed”

• Contact institutions early for missing or incomplete documentation

• Watch for guidance on portal changes once integrations go live

NELFUND encourages all stakeholders to contact info@nelf.gov.ng or engage via their social media platforms—X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn—for inquiries or support.

 Breaking Barriers: Zero-Interest as a Policy Pillar

NELFUND operates under the 2024 Student Loan Act, which replaced older frameworks and mandates zero‑interest loans to approved tertiary and vocational students.

Loans begin repayment only two years after NYSC completion, and repayment terms adjust to income levels—an arrangement designed to make repayment manageable while protecting low-earning graduates.

The Big Picture: From Reform to Results

In less than a year, NELFUND has:

• Deployed a reliable digital portal for 600,000+ student registrations

• Disbursed nearly ₦57 billion in tuition and upkeep support

• Expanded to vocational education delivery, with strong readiness in Enugu and 10+ states

• Started institutional portal integration for seamless student experience

By requiring student data uploads before disbursement, NELFUND is ensuring quality control and accountability—cornerstones of its vision for an inclusive, efficient, and scalable loan system.

 Final Word

This verification mandate marks a pivotal moment for NELFUND’s transformation into a fully functional, modern financing agency. Institutions that act swiftly ensure their students won’t lose access due to delays. Students, meanwhile, will benefit from improved timelines and clear communication.

As loans for vocational training launch and portal integrations begin, NELFUND is transitioning to a more inclusive model—supporting both university and skill-focused pathways. It’s time for all stakeholders—institutions, centres, and students—to come on board, meet the deadline, and ensure funds reach Nigeria’s learners on schedule and with transparency.