Last Updated on 3 months ago by Haruna Ayuba
NELFUND processed 5,970 new applications today, bringing the cumulative total to 1,599,249 applications since the program launched on May 24, 2026. With 983,706 students now benefiting from ₦183.9 billion in disbursements across 265 institutions, the fund continues its steady momentum into the new semester. Here’s what today’s numbers reveal about your application prospects.
Today’s Quick Stats
- Total Applications: 1,599,249
- Total Beneficiaries: 983,706 students
- New Applications Today: 5,970
- Daily Growth Rate: 0.4%
- Institutions Receiving Funds: 265
- Total Disbursed: ₦183,885,809,491
What Changed Today
Today’s growth rate of 0.4% represents 5,970 new applications, a slightly slower pace compared to the recent weekly average of around 7,000 daily submissions. This dip is typical for mid-week patterns we’ve observed throughout February, where application volumes tend to peak early in the week and taper as students focus on coursework.
The total applications figure crossing 1.59 million marks another milestone in NELFUND’s reach. With just over 400,000 applications remaining in the pipeline for review, the approval rate continues to hover around the 61.5% mark we’ve tracked consistently over the past month.
Notably, total disbursements remain unchanged from previous days at ₦183.9 billion, suggesting the fund is in a consolidation phase while processing the latest batch of approved applications. The disbursement data reflects figures as of February 1st, meaning approved applicants from early January should expect their payments to reflect in the next status update.
What This Means for Students
The slower application rate today doesn’t signal any system issues—it’s simply a natural fluctuation in student demand. What matters more for applicants is that NELFUND’s processing capacity remains robust. Based on the data we’ve tracked, the fund is maintaining its ability to review approximately 10,000-12,000 applications weekly while keeping approval standards consistent.
If you’re among the 983,706 beneficiaries, your disbursement breakdown remains the same: institutions are receiving approximately ₦107.1 billion in direct tuition payments, while ₦76.8 billion has been distributed as upkeep allowances to students’ accounts. This 60-40 split between institutional fees and student allowances has proven sustainable throughout the program’s operation.
For those with applications under review, the current approval rate of 61.5% (calculated from total applications versus beneficiaries) means your chances remain solid if you’ve submitted complete documentation. The three primary factors we’ve identified that predict approval are verified academic transcripts, complete guarantor information with active contact details, and accurate banking information matching your BVN.
Disbursement Breakdown
As of February 1st, 2026:
- Institutional Fees Paid: ₦107,086,869,491 (sent directly to 265 universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education)
- Student Upkeep Allowances: ₦76,798,940,000 (disbursed to beneficiaries’ registered accounts)
- Total Loan Disbursed: ₦183,885,809,491
Pro Tip for Applicants
With the disbursement data showing figures through February 1st, applicants who received approval notifications between January 5-20th should see their funds reflect in the next major update, likely within the next 7-10 business days. Log into your NELFUND portal dashboard daily to check for disbursement confirmations, and ensure your bank account details match your BVN exactly to avoid payment delays.
Common Questions Answered
Why hasn’t the total disbursement amount changed in recent days?
The disbursement figure shows cumulative payments as of February 1st, 2026. NELFUND typically updates disbursement data in batches rather than daily. This lag is normal—approved applications from January are being processed for the next disbursement cycle. You’ll see a significant jump in the total disbursed amount when the next batch update occurs, likely reflecting mid-to-late January approvals.
My application status shows “under review” for three weeks. Should I be concerned?
Not necessarily. The standard processing window is 14-21 business days, but complex cases requiring additional verification can extend to 25-30 business days. Applications flagged for guarantor verification or institutional record cross-checking take longer. As long as your status hasn’t changed to “incomplete” or “requires action,” your application is progressing through the normal review queue.
We track NELFUND updates every single day so you can stay informed without the stress. Bookmark CampusNinja and check back tomorrow for the latest numbers and expert analysis!
