The directive, contained in a statement issued on Thursday by NELFUND spokesperson Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, urged universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to collaborate closely with the Fund to ensure a smooth verification and loan application process for students once the portal officially opens.
Describing the initiative as a proactive measure, Oluwatuyi said the update will enable the Fund to process student loan applications efficiently and prevent delays in verification or disbursement.
“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,” the statement read.
NELFUND emphasised that only students whose details have been duly uploaded and verified through their respective institutions will be eligible to apply for and benefit from the government-backed education loan scheme.
The Fund also appealed to institutions to designate responsible officers to oversee the data upload process in accordance with its technical guidelines, noting that this collaboration is crucial to ensuring no eligible student is excluded.
“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,” the statement added.
According to NELFUND, the student data verification process will be conducted through the Student Loan Access System (SLAS) portal, which enables institutions to confirm, upload, and validate student records tied to loan applications. Once verified, eligible students will have their loan status updated to “Disbursed,” indicating payment completion.
The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability throughout the loan application and disbursement process, as part of ongoing efforts to improve access to affordable higher education across Nigeria.