NELFUND Refutes Suspension Claims
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has denied reports that it suspended the payment of upkeep allowances to students. In a statement issued on Friday, the agency clarified that the claims circulating on social media are false and urged students to disregard them.
According to NELFUND's management, the upkeep allowance payment process is still active, and delays experienced by some students are due to verification and documentation issues. The fund assured that all eligible students will receive their allowances once their records are cleared.
Students Complain of Non-Payment
In recent weeks, several students across federal tertiary institutions have taken to social media to express frustration over the non-payment of their upkeep allowances. Some alleged that the fund had quietly suspended the program, leading to widespread anxiety.
One student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "We have not received any official communication from NELFUND about suspension, but many of us have not been paid for months. The delay is causing hardship."
NELFUND's Response
In its statement, NELFUND explained that the delay is not a suspension but a result of ongoing verification of student data. The fund stated: "NELFUND wishes to clarify that it has not suspended the payment of upkeep allowances. The process is ongoing, and any delays are due to the need to verify the authenticity of student records to prevent fraud."
The agency further noted that it has disbursed over N2.5 billion in upkeep allowances to more than 100,000 students since the program began. It urged students with complaints to contact the fund's support channels for resolution.
Impact on Students
The confusion has caused significant distress among beneficiaries who rely on the allowance for accommodation, feeding, and other basic needs. Many students have called for greater transparency and faster processing of payments.
Education analysts have warned that persistent delays could undermine trust in the student loan scheme, which is a key part of the government's efforts to improve access to higher education.
Background of the Scheme
The NELFUND student loan scheme was established to provide financial support to Nigerian students in public tertiary institutions. It covers tuition fees and includes a monthly upkeep allowance to help with living expenses. The fund is managed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Since its launch, the scheme has faced operational challenges, including delays in disbursement and verification bottlenecks. The agency has repeatedly assured stakeholders that it is working to streamline processes and ensure timely payments.
