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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Student upkeep payments continue, says NELFUND

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has debunked online reports claiming the suspension of student upkeep allowance payments.
  • NELFUND stated that these circulating reports, including a fake AI-generated newspaper front page, are fabricated and intended to mislead the public.
  • The fund reaffirmed its commitment to disbursing student loans and upkeep allowances as per its mandate, urging reliance on official communication channels.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a strong denial against circulating online reports alleging the suspension of student upkeep allowance payments by the Federal Government. NELFUND described these publications as false, misleading, and intentionally designed to create panic and distrust among students and stakeholders.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund wishes to categorically refute and condemn the false and misleading publications currently circulating across social media and online platforms alleging that the Federal Government has suspended students’ upkeep allowance payments under the student loan scheme.

— NELFUNDThe fund issued a statement to address and deny false reports about the suspension of student upkeep allowances.

In a statement released by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND condemned the fabricated reports, including a fake AI-generated front page attributed to The Nigerian Tribune. The fund emphasized that no directive has been issued by the Federal Government or NELFUND regarding the suspension of upkeep allowances. These circulating materials, the statement clarified, did not originate from any official NELFUND or government communication platform.

These reports, including a fabricated statement falsely attributed to NELFUND and an AI-generated newspaper front page purportedly from The Nigerian Tribune, are entirely FAKE, misleading, and designed to create panic, confusion, and distrust among beneficiaries and the general public.

— NELFUNDThe fund described the nature and intent of the false publications circulating online.

NELFUND reiterated its unwavering commitment to the continuous disbursement of student loans and upkeep allowances, operating transparently and efficiently. The agency urged beneficiaries, stakeholders, and the general public to disregard the false information and rely solely on verified details from official NELFUND communication channels. The fund also cautioned against the spread of unverified content, warning that such actions contribute to misinformation and unnecessary anxiety.

No directive has been issued by the Federal Government or NELFUND regarding the suspension of upkeep allowances.

— NELFUNDThe fund clarified that there has been no official decision to suspend upkeep allowances.

The fund, established by the Federal Government following the enactment of the Student Loans Act, aims to expand access to higher education. Since its inception, NELFUND has disbursed over N206 billion in loans, supporting more than 1.6 million students in tertiary institutions across the country. The loan application portal opened on May 24, 2024, signifying the government's ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian students through sustainable financing initiatives.

The fund remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding access to higher education and supporting Nigerian students through sustainable financing initiatives.

— NELFUNDThe fund reaffirmed its dedication to its mission of supporting students' education.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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