NELFUND Reacts to False Claims of Student Loan Suspension
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a strong response to circulating reports alleging the suspension of its student loan disbursement program. The agency categorically denies these claims, labeling them as misinformation and urging students and the public to trust only verified official communication channels.
Official Statement Disputes Viral Notice
In a statement posted on its official X handle, NELFUND emphasized that it has not announced any suspension or pause in loan payments. This clarification comes in reaction to a notice spreading on social media, which falsely claimed that disbursements under the student loan scheme were temporarily halted due to "unforeseen operational circumstances."
The agency wrote: "This document is fake. Kindly disregard the circulating letter on suspension of student loan disbursements. NELFUND has not issued any such directive. Please rely on official channels for verified updates." NELFUND reaffirmed that the student loan disbursement program remains in full operation and warned against the spread of fake news.
Recent Disbursements Highlight Program Continuity
To demonstrate the ongoing nature of its operations, NELFUND disclosed recent disbursements to tertiary institutions. The agency disbursed N795,729,500 to the Federal University of Lafia, supporting 6,385 students. Additionally, it allocated N42,616,928 to the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, benefiting 319 students.
These disbursements underscore NELFUND's commitment to providing financial assistance to Nigerian students, countering the false narrative of a suspension.
Breakdown of Program Statistics
As of April 2, 2026, NELFUND has received 1.77 million applications and recorded 1.39 million beneficiaries. The agency has disbursed N157 billion as institutional fees for students and approximately N85 billion as upkeep allowances. With student beneficiaries spread across 288 institutions, the total disbursement since the program's inception amounts to N242.4 billion.
NELFUND's efforts aim to support over a million Nigerian students in tertiary education through interest-free loans, with top applicant states including Kano, Borno, Lagos, Oyo, and Ekiti. However, concerns have been raised about low application rates from the South-South and South-East regions.
The agency continues to urge the public to rely on its official channels for accurate information and to avoid spreading unverified claims that could undermine its mission.
