Reports on suspension of students’ upkeep allowance fake –NELFund
By Uji A. Iliyasu, Abuja
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has debunked reports circulating on social media and some online platforms claiming that the Federal Government has suspended the payment of students’ upkeep allowances under the student loan scheme.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Strategic Communications of NELFUND, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, described the publications as false, misleading and deliberately designed to create panic and confusion among beneficiaries and the general public.
Oluwatuyi stated that the reports, including a purported statement allegedly issued by NELFUND and an AI-generated newspaper front page falsely presented as a publication of The Nigerian Tribune, did not originate from the Fund or any authorised government channel.
She stressed that no directive had been issued either by the Federal Government or NELFUND concerning the suspension of upkeep allowance payments to students benefiting from the scheme.
She said, “The publications currently in circulation are entirely fake and should be disregarded by the public. NELFUND remains committed to the transparent and efficient disbursement of student loans and upkeep support in line with its mandate.”
The director further clarified that the newspaper cover being widely shared online was artificially generated and did not represent any authentic publication from The Nigerian Tribune.
She urged beneficiaries, stakeholders and members of the public to rely only on verified information released through NELFUND’s official communication channels and credible media organisations.
Oluwatuyi also appealed to the public to desist from sharing unverified reports capable of spreading misinformation and causing unnecessary anxiety among students and parents across the country.
She reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through sustainable financing initiatives aimed at supporting Nigerian students.
For enquiries and further information, the public was advised to contact NELFUND through its official email address, or through its verified social media platforms.