The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has dismissed reports claiming that the federal government suspended the payment of students’ upkeep allowances under the student loan scheme.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s director of strategic communications, described the reports circulating on social media and online platforms as false, misleading, and intended to create panic among beneficiaries and the public.
Oluwatuyi said the publications included a fabricated statement falsely attributed to the agency and an AI-generated newspaper front page purportedly from the Nigerian Tribune.
She added that no directive had been issued by either the federal government or NELFUND regarding the suspension of upkeep allowances for students benefiting from the scheme.
According to the NELFUND’s spokesperson, the viral publications did not originate from the agency or any authorised government communication channel.
“The newspaper cover currently being shared is AI-generated and does not represent a genuine publication from The Nigerian Tribune,” the statement reads.
She added that the fund remains committed to the transparent and efficient disbursement of student loans and upkeep support in line with its mandate.
Oluwatuyi urged beneficiaries, stakeholders, and members of the public to disregard the publications and rely only on verified information shared through NELFUND’s official communication channels and credible media platforms.
She also advised Nigerians against sharing unverified information capable of spreading misinformation and causing anxiety among students and parents nationwide.
