NELFUND refutes fake document claiming suspension of student upkeep payments
NELFUND refutes fake document claiming suspension of student upkeep payments
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has publicly rejected a viral document circulating on social media, which falsely claimed that the Federal Government had halted the payment of upkeep allowances for beneficiaries of the Student Loan Scheme for the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to a report from Nairametrics, NELFUND described the document as fake, directly addressing growing concerns among students who have been complaining about non-payment of their allowances. The denial comes amid a backdrop of frustration from loan beneficiaries who have reported delays or missing payments, though the fund has not confirmed the specifics of those complaints in its statement.
What the fake document claimed
The fraudulent social media post purported to be an official government directive suspending the upkeep allowance component of the Student Loan Scheme for the upcoming academic year. Upkeep allowances are a critical part of the loan package, intended to cover students’ living expenses while they study. The suspension of such payments would have caused significant hardship for many recipients who rely on the funds for daily needs.
NELFUND’s response and implications
By dismissing the document as fake, NELFUND has sought to reassure students and the public that the scheme remains operational as designed. The fund’s swift denial suggests an awareness of the potential for misinformation to disrupt trust in the program and to cause panic among beneficiaries. For students already facing delays, the clarification may provide some relief, though it does not directly address the underlying issue of why some payments have not been received.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of government programs to disinformation campaigns, particularly those that affect the financial well-being of large numbers of citizens. It also underscores the importance of verifying official communications through recognized channels rather than relying on unverified social media posts.
Broader context of the Student Loan Scheme
The Student Loan Scheme, administered by NELFUND, is a federal initiative designed to provide financial support to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions. It covers both tuition fees and upkeep allowances, with the aim of reducing barriers to higher education. Since its launch, the scheme has faced various operational challenges, including delays in disbursement and complaints from beneficiaries about inconsistent payments. While NELFUND has not commented on the specific complaints mentioned in the report, the denial of the suspension document suggests that the fund is actively managing the scheme’s reputation and communications.
Students and stakeholders are advised to rely on official NELFUND announcements for accurate information about the program’s status. The fund has not indicated any changes to the 2025/2026 academic session’s payment schedule as of this report.
Source: Nairametrics
Source: NELFUND denies suspending upkeep allowance amid students’ complaints over non-payment