The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a new directive to all student-loan applicants, asking them to reset and update their account details on the official portal.

According to the Fund, this measure is designed to address delayed upkeep payments and failed transactions that have affected thousands of beneficiaries across Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions.

In a public advisory released on Tuesday via NELFUND’s verified platforms, the agency explained that applicants who previously experienced payment failures must log in and update their bank and personal details to enable the next round of disbursements.

“All applicants who encountered issues with their upkeep payments are advised to log in and update their account details,” NELFUND said in the statement.

 Portal Update and Key Instructions

Students affected by payment delays are to visit the official NELFUND portal at https://portal.nelf.gov.ng and confirm that their Bank Verification Number (BVN), account number, and contact information are correct.

NELFUND strongly warned against using fake websites or third-party links, emphasizing that www.nelf.gov.ng remains the only authorized student loan portal.

A NELFUND support officer revealed that many payment issues arose from mismatched BVN records, outdated bank details, or typographical errors during application. The Fund explained that the account reset process would harmonize student data and prevent similar issues in future disbursement cycles.

 Why the Update Matters

Since its official launch in May 2024, the NELFUND student loan scheme  established under the Access to Higher Education Act, 2024  has provided interest-free loans to students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

To date, over 600,000 students have benefited, with more than ₦86 billion disbursed. Of this, ₦47.6 billion went directly to institutions for tuition, while ₦38.7 billion covered upkeep allowances.

However, the Fund acknowledged complaints over delayed payments and technical bottlenecks, largely caused by incorrect data submissions and institutions failing to upload verified student information on time. The current directive aims to clear these backlogs ahead of the November disbursement round.

 Step-by-Step Guide to Reset Your Details

1. Visit https://portal.nelf.gov.ng
   
2. Log in using your registered email and password
   
3. Navigate to the Profile/Account Details section
   
4. Review and update your bank account, BVN, and contact phone number
   
5. Confirm your institution and matriculation details
   
6. Save changes and re-log in to ensure updates are complete
   
7. Monitor your dashboard for disbursement updates
   

Students must also verify that their institutions have uploaded their approved records, as unverified profiles cannot receive payments.

 Fraud Alert

NELFUND cautioned applicants against third-party “agents” who promise to help process updates or accelerate payments. All services on the portal are completely free, and anyone demanding money should be reported immediately.

For official assistance, students can reach NELFUND through:

• Website: www.nelf.gov.ng
  
• X (Twitter): @NELFUND
  
• Email: support@nelf.gov.ng
  

 Looking Ahead

The Fund assured applicants that all pending payments will be cleared once data corrections are completed. It also announced plans to roll out a real-time verification dashboard for tertiary institutions to monitor student records.

“No eligible student will be left behind,” NELFUND reiterated. “We remain committed to full transparency and timely disbursement.”

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund continues to play a pivotal role in expanding access to higher education, and this update underscores the importance of accurate data and proactive compliance by beneficiaries.