The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has issued a fresh warning to students and the general public over the circulation of fraudulent links and fake portals targeting its interest-free student loan programme.
The alert follows the emergence of a misleading notice claiming the launch of a new 2026 registration portal for student loan applications. The Fund described the notice as false and urged Nigerians to exercise caution.
In a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, NELFUND advised students to verify all information before taking action online.
“Please ensure you verify all links and rely only on our official channels for accurate information. Remain vigilant against misinformation, fake news, and potential scams,” the agency stated.
According to NELFUND, the viral message falsely claimed that President Bola Tinubu had directed the opening of a new registration portal due to challenges faced by students. The notice also promoted a suspicious link, presenting it as an official platform for loan applications and cash transfers.
The Fund clarified that the link is fraudulent and not affiliated with its operations, warning that unsuspecting applicants risk falling victim to scams.
This is not the first time fraudsters have targeted beneficiaries of the scheme. Similar fake messages circulated in 2025, falsely announcing the reopening of application portals and promising quick financial assistance.
NELFUND reiterated that all updates regarding its student loan programme will only be communicated through its verified platforms and official channels.
The student loan scheme was established under the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, signed into law by President Tinubu. The initiative provides interest-free loans covering tuition fees and monthly upkeep allowances for eligible students.
Repayment of the loan is scheduled to begin two years after beneficiaries complete the National Youth Service Corps programme.
As online scams continue to evolve, NELFUND urged students to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with unverified links or third-party platforms posing as official portals.