NELFUND Refutes Claims Of Suspending Students’ Upkeep Allowance

According to IReporter Online, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has debunked 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 on Thursday by the Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the agency described the reports as false, misleading, and deliberately crafted to cause panic, confusion, and distrust among students and the general public.

NELFUND clarified that neither the federal government nor the agency has issued any directive regarding the suspension of upkeep allowance payments. It further explained that the viral claims included a fabricated statement falsely attributed to the Fund, as well as an AI-generated newspaper front page allegedly linked to the Nigerian Tribune.

The agency emphasized that the materials currently in circulation are fake and did not originate from any official government or NELFUND communication channel. It also noted that the widely shared newspaper cover was artificially created using artificial intelligence and does not represent any authentic publication.

NELFUND urged students, parents, stakeholders, and members of the public to disregard the misleading reports and rely solely on verified updates from its official communication platforms and reputable media outlets. The Fund also warned against the spread of unverified information capable of triggering unnecessary anxiety.

Reaffirming its commitment, NELFUND stated that it remains dedicated to expanding access to higher education and supporting Nigerian students through sustainable financial support initiatives.