Top 10 institutions with highest NELFUND loan applications as of October 2025

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Nigeria’s new student loan programme has quickly become one of the most closely watched education support schemes in the country.

Since its rollout, the portal has recorded a sharp rise in applications, with a total interest-free successful loan application of 451,535 in October 2025.

This highlights how Nigerian students are responding to the opportunity for tuition and upkeep support.

The surge in applications is happening at a time when families are grappling with rising living costs, increased fees across public universities, and broader economic pressures. For many students, the loan scheme has become a crucial pathway to staying enrolled and managing day-to-day expenses.

The programme has already disbursed over N116 billion to support both tuition and upkeep allowances, less than two years after its launch on May 24, 2024.

These numbers offer a new way to understand the extent to which students rely on government-backed support to complete their studies. This report breaks down the top ten institutions with the highest number of applications as of October 23, 2025.

Below is a breakdown of the top 10 institutions by total applications from May 2024 to October 2025:

University of Uyo: 31,826 applications 

The University of Uyo (UNIUYO) is a federal public university located in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. Established in 1991, it grew out of the former University of Cross River State, inheriting its programmes and facilities.

UNIUYO operates across multiple campuses, including its Main Campus, Town Campus, Annex Campus, Health Sciences Campus, and Ime Umanah Campus. It currently has 12 faculties offering more than 90 academic programmes. The university employs 1,521 academic staff and about 4,128 administrative staff.

UNIUYO recorded 31,826 total loan applications, of which 15,605 were for upkeep loans, showing a very active uptake of the scheme by its undergraduates. According to the NUC Statistics, the University has 12,435 male students and 11,438 female students, with a total of 23,873 students.

The university is also affiliated with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), which enhances its medical training and research capabilities.

Taraba State University, Jalingo (Taraba): 32,030 applications 

Taraba State University (TSU) in Jalingo was founded in 2008 by the Taraba State Government as a public institution to expand access to higher education in the state.

TSU recorded 32,030 total NELFUND loan applications, with 15,712 of these for upkeep support,  a strong indication of demand for non‑tuition financial aid among its students.

TSU’s academic structure includes faculties in Agriculture, Science, Arts and Social Sciences, Management, Education, and ICT. Over the years, it has grown rapidly from its first 582 students in 2008–2009 to matriculating 5,471 new students in 2023.

TSU emphasizes both teaching and research, contributing to socioeconomic development in the region. According to NUC statistical digest, TSU has 4,302 registered students; 2,617 male and 1,685 female

The institution is not featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 rankings of World University Rankings

Federal University of Kashere: 34,208 applications 

The Federal University of Kashere (FUKashere) is located in Kashere, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, in Nigeria’s North‑East.

The institution was founded in 2010 and formally launched in 2011. FUKashere was part of a federal initiative to expand access to higher education.

FUKashere runs six faculties (Agriculture, Education, Humanities, Sciences, Management Sciences, Social Sciences), plus its School of Postgraduate Studies and a School of Preliminary & General Studies.

As of October, FUKashere recorded 34,208 total NELFUND loan applications, with 16,878 of these being for upkeep support. According to the NUC Statistical Digest, the institution has a total of 4,694 students,  3,591 male students and 1,103 female students.

The institution is not featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 rankings of World University Rankings

Usmanu Danfodiyo University: 35,714 Applications 

Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS), was established in 1975 (originally as the University of Sokoto). Located in the far northwest, the institution has historically served students from underserved communities.

The loan programme is helping reduce the financial barrier to entry and retention. UDUS received 35,714 total NELFUND loan applications, with 17,603 of those being for upkeep

As of its 2023 annual report, the institution runs 17 faculties, plus a postgraduate school and several research centres. Meanwhile, its student body is estimated at about 23,491 based on data reported by Times Higher Education.

The institution is not featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 rankings of World University Rankings. However, in the 2025 ranking, it falls into the 1501+ band.

University of Jos: 35,913 applications

The University of Jos (UNIJOS) is a federal university based in Jos, Plateau State, founded in 1975.

It operates across multiple campuses and offers a broad range of programmes through its 12 faculties, including Agriculture, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Natural Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Health Sciences.

With a student population of roughly 40,000 students, UNIJOS recorded 35,913 total NELFUND loan applications, of which 17,606 were for upkeep support.

The institution is not featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 rankings of World University Rankings.

Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), its affiliated teaching hospital, strengthens the university’s medical and clinical education capacity.

University of Ilorin: 44,735 applications 

The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is a federal public research university located in Ilorin, Kwara State. Founded in 1975 and formally opened in 1977, it has grown to become one of Nigeria’s largest universities, with over 50,000 students.

UNILORIN has 16 faculties and more than 100 academic departments. Its faculties include Agriculture, Engineering & Technology, Law, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Arts, Environmental Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and more.

On the research front, the university supports a strong academic ecosystem with 16 faculties, over 29 centres and institutes.

UNILORIN received 44,735 NELFUND loan applications, of which 21,506 were approved for upkeep support.

The school is not featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 rankings of World University Rankings.

Ahmadu Bello University: 46,663 applications

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), established in 1962, is a federal research institution based in Zaria, Kaduna State.

According to its own data, the total student enrollment in the university’s degree and sub-degree programs is about 35,000. The institution has 18 faculties and 110 departments, with 2,939 academic staff and 641 professors.

For the NELFUND student loan scheme, ABU recorded 46,663 total applications, of which 23,004 students received the upkeep support.

The university ranked 6th best university in Nigeria and 1201–1500th globally in the Times Higher Education 2026 World University Rankings.

Federal University, Dutsin‑Ma: 50,737 applications

Federal University, Dutsin‑Ma (FUDMA) is a federal institution located in Dutsin‑Ma, Katsina State.

The university was founded in 2011, as part of the federal government’s effort to expand access to higher education. According to its institutional data, FUDMA has 15 campuses, 9 faculties, 73 departments, and a total student enrollment of 29447, with 26819 Undergraduate Students.

As of October, the university has received a total of 50,737 NELFUND loan applications, of which 25,074 were approved for upkeep support.

Among its undergraduates, it runs 248 programmes, while there are 1,007 postgraduate programmes. FUDMA’s academic structure includes faculties such as Agriculture, Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Education, and Medical Sciences.

The school is not featured in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 rankings of World University Rankings

Bayero University, Kano (Kano): 54,419 applications 

Bayero University, Kano is a federal institution in Kano State, established in 1977. The university has grown into one of the largest and most influential institutions in northern Nigeria, with a broad academic structure that spans sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences, agriculture and the humanities.

The institution comprises 97 departments, offering 163 undergraduate and 524 postgraduate programmes, serving a student enrollment of 38,829.

BUK ranks among the institutions with the highest demand for student loans in the country. As of October, the university recorded 54,419 NELFUND loan applications in total, with 26,595 students approved for upkeep support.

The university ranked 3rd best university in Nigeria and 1001–1200th globally in the Times Higher Education 2026 World University Rankings.

University of Maiduguri (Borno): 85,050 applications 

The University of Maiduguri is a federal institution located in Borno State, established in 1975.

The university has a student population of 83,980, 37 faculties and centres, 103 departments and 112 professors. With 33,673 undergraduate applications recorded under NELFUND, the university stands out for its high participation rate, showing strong adoption of the loan scheme among its eligible students

It is one of the largest universities in northern Nigeria, with more than 50,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The school has a wide academic structure that covers major fields such as agriculture, medicine, engineering, law, and the humanities.

Since NELFUND loans are only available to undergraduates, the 33,673  loan applications recorded from the institution suggest a very high participation rate among eligible undergraduate students, highlighting strong adoption of the scheme.