The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has warned students and the general public to beware of fraudsters circulating fake information about its interest-free student loan scheme, following the emergence of a fraudulent notice promoting a non-existent 2026 registration portal.
In a statement shared on its official X handle, NELFUND urged Nigerians to disregard the fake notice and rely only on verified communication channels for authentic information regarding the student loan programme.
“Please ensure you verify all links and rely only on our official channels for accurate information. Remain vigilant against misinformation, fake news, and potential scams,” the Fund stated.
According to NELFUND, the viral notice falsely claimed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the reopening of a new registration portal in response to challenges faced by students.
The notice also promoted a suspicious link, presenting it as an official portal for student loan applications and cash transfers — a claim the agency dismissed as fraudulent.
NELFUND stressed that the circulating message did not originate from the agency and warned students against clicking unverified links or sharing personal details with unknown sources.
The Fund noted that this is not the first attempt by scammers to exploit beneficiaries of the student loan scheme.
Similar fake messages surfaced last year, falsely claiming presidential directives to reopen application portals or offering quick cash disbursements to applicants.
The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting students and maintaining the integrity of the loan scheme, urging prospective beneficiaries to get updates only from NELFUND’s verified platforms.
Established under the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, signed into law by President Tinubu, the NELFUND programme provides interest-free loans to eligible Nigerian students.
The scheme covers tuition fees and monthly upkeep allowances, while repayment is expected to begin two years after beneficiaries complete the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
NELFUND advised students to remain alert as authorities continue efforts to combat misinformation and online fraud targeting the programme.
