NELFUND warns against fake student loan registration portal

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has warned students and the public to remain vigilant against rising scams targeting its interest-free student loan programme.

The warning follows the circulation of a fraudulent notice claiming the existence of a new 2026 registration portal.

In a post on its X handle on Thursday, the Fund urged Nigerians to verify all links and rely exclusively on its verified channels to avoid falling victim to misinformation and potential scams.

“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,” NELFUND wrote.

The suspicious notice claimed that, due to constraints faced by students, President Bola Tinubu directed the opening of the portal.

It also promoted a dubious link as an official portal for student loan registration and cash transfers, which NELFUND described as fraudulent.

This is not the first time scammers have targeted NELFUND beneficiaries.

Similar fraudulent messages have circulated in 2025, falsely claiming presidential directives to reopen portals or promising easy cash transfers.

Enacted under the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, signed by Tinubu, the NELFUND loan is an interest-free student loan.

It covers tuition fees and monthly upkeep allowances, while repayment is to commence two years after the completion of the National Youth Service Programme.

What’s happening?

• Fraudsters are spreading messages claiming a new 2026 loan registration portal has been opened.
• These messages often include suspicious links and even falsely claim approval from Bola Tinubu to make them look legitimate.
• NELFUND has clearly stated that these links are fake and not affiliated with the official loan scheme.

Key warning from NELFUND

The agency urged students to:

• Verify all links before clicking
• Use only official NELFUND channels for applications and updates
• Avoid sharing personal or financial details on unknown websites

Why this matters

• The student loan scheme (created under the 2024 law) provides interest-free loans for tuition and upkeep.
• Because of its popularity, it has become a frequent target for scammers, with similar fake portal claims appearing since 2025.

How to stay safe

• Don’t trust messages that create urgency or promise quick cash
• Always check announcements via verified NELFUND platforms
• If unsure, ignore the link entirely rather than risk it