NELFUND Debunks Reports of Suspension of Students’ Upkeep Allowance
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media claiming that the Federal Government has suspended the payment of upkeep allowances to beneficiaries of the student loan scheme.
In a statement issued by the Fund, NELFUND described the viral document as fake, stressing that it did not originate from the agency or any authorised government channel. The Fund urged students, parents and the general public to disregard the misinformation and rely only on verified information released through its official communication platforms.
According to NELFUND, neither the Federal Government nor the agency has announced or approved the suspension of upkeep allowance payments for eligible beneficiaries. It explained that the student loan programme, including the disbursement of upkeep allowances, remains in operation in line with its mandate to support students in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria.The agency also refuted claims contained in the fake notice, which alleged that funds for the upkeep scheme had been exhausted and that payments had been suspended until further notice. NELFUND said the document was deliberately fabricated to mislead the public and create unnecessary panic among students.The Fund warned that false publications and AI-generated materials are increasingly being used to spread misinformation, urging Nigerians to verify any information relating to the student loan scheme before sharing it on social media.NELFUND reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the timely disbursement of approved student loans and upkeep allowances. It assured beneficiaries that eligible students would continue to receive support in accordance with the programme’s guidelines.The agency further encouraged students with questions or concerns to contact NELFUND through its official website and verified social media accounts instead of relying on unverified online messages.The student loan scheme, introduced by the Federal Government to improve access to higher education, provides financial assistance for tuition and monthly upkeep to qualified students in public tertiary institutions.
NELFUND reiterated that its operations remain on course and advised beneficiaries to ignore false reports capable of causing confusion or eroding public confidence in the programme.
