The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has refuted viral claims circulating online that the Federal Government has stopped the payment of student upkeep allowances under its student loan programme, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement released on Thursday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the Fund said the information spreading across social media platforms was fabricated and intended to cause panic among students and stakeholders.
NELFUND strongly denied the allegation, stressing that no suspension of upkeep payments had been ordered by the Federal Government or the agency itself.
According to the statement, the alleged notice and a fake newspaper front page being shared online—including one falsely attributed to *The Nigerian Tribune*—were both AI-generated and entirely unauthentic.
The agency explained that none of the materials in circulation originated from its official communication channels or any recognised government platform, warning the public against treating them as credible.
It further reaffirmed that the student loan scheme, including upkeep allowances, remains fully active and continues to be disbursed in line with its mandate.
NELFUND urged students, parents, and the general public to disregard the misinformation and rely only on verified updates released through its official platforms.
The Fund also cautioned against the spread of unverified content, noting that such actions fuel unnecessary anxiety among beneficiaries nationwide.
Reiterating its commitment, NELFUND said it remains focused on expanding access to higher education and ensuring smooth and transparent delivery of student financial support.
It added that beneficiaries can reach the agency through its official email ([info@nelf.gov.ng](mailto:info@nelf.gov.ng)) and verified social media handles on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Since the launch of the scheme, NELFUND says it has disbursed over ₦206 billion to more than 1.6 million students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The programme officially began accepting applications on May 24, 2024, following the enactment of the Student Loans Act by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Under the initiative, students in public tertiary institutions receive financial support for tuition and living expenses, with repayment expected only after graduation and gainful employment, to ease immediate financial pressure on beneficiaries.