NELFUND Warns Public Over Fake Student Loan Portal

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a fresh warning over fraudulent activities targeting its interest-free student loan scheme, following the circulation of a fake notice advertising a 2026 registration portal.

The agency, in a statement shared via its X platform on Thursday, urged students and the public to exercise caution by confirming the authenticity of any information through its official channels. It warned that misleading links and false claims are being used to exploit unsuspecting applicants.

According to NELFUND, the viral notice falsely claimed that President Bola Tinubu approved the reopening of a new portal due to challenges faced by students. It also directed users to an unverified link for loan applications and cash transfers, raising concerns about potential fraud.

The Fund pointed out that similar tactics were used in 2025, where scammers circulated messages promising quick access to funds. NELFUND reiterated that its loan scheme, established under the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, offers interest-free support for tuition and upkeep, with repayment scheduled to begin two years after the National Youth Service Programme.