The Registrar made the call following reports of low enrolment of UNICAL students on the NELFUND platform, despite the opening of applications on September 23, 2026.
By Frank Ulom
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Published on October 24, 2026
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2 min read
The Registrar of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Dr. (Mrs.) Chukwuka I. Icha, has urged students of the institution to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) student loan scheme for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The Registrar made the call following reports of low enrolment of UNICAL students on the NELFUND platform, despite the opening of applications on September 23, 2026.
In a directive to Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments (HODs) and Heads of Units, Dr. Icha disclosed that the application window would close in December 2026, urging the university community to intensify efforts to ensure that eligible students are adequately informed about the scheme and encouraged to apply before the deadline.
She said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Offiong Efanga Offiong, had directed all Deans, HODs and Heads of Units to embark on vigorous sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness and boost student enrolment.
According to the Registrar, the exercise is aimed at ensuring that UNICAL students benefit from the financial support available through the NELFUND scheme, just as students in other higher institutions across the country are doing.
Dr. Icha further stated that the Vice-Chancellor had directed that all students be registered and brought on board the NELFUND platform.
To ensure compliance, management will request reports of the sensitisation and enrolment exercise from faculties, departments and units.
The reports are expected to include verifiable evidence of the number of students enrolled through each faculty, department and unit.
The Registrar, therefore, called on all concerned officers to treat the directive with utmost importance and urgency to ensure that students are adequately sensitised and given the opportunity to benefit from the loan scheme before the application window closes in December.
The NELFUND student loan scheme is a designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students in Nigerian tertiary institutions, helping to ease the financial burden associated with pursuing higher education.
See how to register for the students’ loan below:
