Juliet Ezeh
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has raised concerns over the spread of misinformation surrounding its student loan scheme, warning beneficiaries to rely only on verified sources for updates.
The agency on Monday dismissed viral claims suggesting that the monthly upkeep allowance for students had been increased to N25,000, clarifying that the approved stipend remains unchanged at N20,000.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the fund stressed that inaccurate reports could mislead beneficiaries and create unnecessary expectations among students.
“The approved upkeep allowance remains N20,000 monthly, and not N25,000 as being reported,” the statement noted.
NELFUND cautioned that the growing circulation of unverified information—particularly on social media—poses a risk to effective communication between the agency and its beneficiaries.
The fund urged students across the country to depend strictly on its official communication channels for credible and timely updates regarding the loan scheme.
Analysts say the clarification highlights a broader challenge facing public institutions in the digital age, where misinformation can quickly spread and undermine trust in government programmes.
For many student beneficiaries who depend on the allowance to meet basic needs, clarity and consistency in communication remain critical to the success of the scheme.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.