A misleading document circulating on social media alleging that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had halted its student loan disbursement programme has been firmly rejected by the agency, which described the notice as entirely fabricated and urged the public to ignore it.
In a clarification issued via its official X handle on Saturday, the Fund stressed that at no point had it announced any suspension or temporary pause in its loan disbursement process. The agency emphasized that its operations remain active and uninterrupted, cautioning students and stakeholders against misinformation capable of causing unnecessary panic within the education community.
The false statement, which gained traction online, had claimed that “due to unforeseen operational circumstances” the Fund was compelled to “temporarily pause the student loan disbursement programme with immediate effect.” NELFUND, however, categorically denied issuing any such directive, stating: “This document is fake. Kindly disregard the circulating letter on suspension of student loan disbursements. NELFUND has not issued any such directive.”
Beyond debunking the claim, the agency also reiterated the importance of relying solely on verified communication channels for accurate updates, particularly as the student loan initiative continues to attract nationwide attention and participation.
The student loan scheme, introduced as part of the Federal Government’s broader intervention in higher education financing, has been reported to have supported over one million students since its inception. The initiative is designed to expand access to tertiary education by easing the financial burden on students across public institutions.
Government data further indicates that the programme has so far cost more than N1.1 billion in disbursements, while complementary efforts under related digital empowerment schemes have provided skills training to over 160,000 young Nigerians.
As interest in the loan programme grows, authorities have continued to warn against the spread of unverified information, noting that official updates will only be released through designated platforms to ensure transparency and public trust.