The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has strongly denied viral reports claiming that the federal government has suspended the payment of student upkeep allowances. In an official statement released on Thursday, May 28, the agency labeled the circulating material as entirely fraudulent and designed to breed distrust among citizens.
AI-Generated Fake Newspaper Cover
Investigations revealed that the deceptive online reports rely on a simulated front page of The Nigerian Tribune. NELFUND officials confirmed that the media asset was generated using artificial intelligence tools to distort administrative realities and deliberately incite panic among student beneficiaries. The agency stressed that the federal government has not issued any directive to freeze student stipends.
Disbursement Continues Uninterrupted
NELFUND management clarified that operational frameworks for student financing remain intact. Personnel are actively executing disbursements according to the initial timeline, ensuring that learners receive their statutory allocations without unapproved disruptions or structural changes. The agency urged families to stop disseminating unverified materials that generate widespread anxiety across educational communities.
Official Channels for Verification
The Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, signed the formal briefing to counter the digital misinformation campaign. Academic beneficiaries are instructed to utilize authenticated institutional platforms to confirm monetary schedules. Inquiries regarding student welfare disbursements can be directed to info@nelf.gov.ng or handled via official social media channels.
Student Success Story Highlights Loan Impact
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was praised by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology’s best graduating student for introducing NELFUND. Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga, who graduated from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering with a cumulative grade point average of 4.89, acknowledged the loan scheme's role in his success. He said, 'I'm honored to let you know that I am the Best Graduating Student of @lautechofficial. Your loans made it possible.' His remarks add to growing conversations around access to higher education funding in Nigeria.
The convocation ceremony also reflected strong academic performance across faculties. A total of 7,641 students were awarded bachelor’s degrees, with 137 graduating with First Class honours. Additionally, the University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, announced automatic employment for its best graduating students.
About the Author
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a campus journalism outfit. He is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia and was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association.
