Fake student loan portal warning issued by NELFUND as it urges students to avoid scams and rely only on official communication platforms for applications

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has raised the alarm over a fake student loan portal spreading false information about the reopening of its student loan application site.

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In a strong-worded statement released on Monday in Abuja, the fund urged students, parents, and guardians to exercise caution and avoid falling victim to the scam.

The alert was issued by Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications.

She described the circulating message as not only false but potentially harmful, designed to steal personal and financial data from unsuspecting users.

“The attention of NELFUND has been drawn to a fraudulent message currently circulating online, falsely claiming that President Bola Tinubu has directed the reopening of the NELFUND Student Loan portal,” Oluwatuyi stated.

“We wish to categorically state that this website is FAKE, and the information contained in the message is false and misleading.”

The fake student loan portal in question links to a fraudulent site impersonating the fund. NELFUND clarified that the only legitimate platform for student loan applications remains [https://nelf.gov.ng](https://nelf.gov.ng), and any other website should be treated as a scam.

In recent weeks, students across the country have reported encountering misleading links via social media and text messages.

The fund’s leadership expressed concern over the sophistication of the hoax, which mimics the official website’s look and messaging to lure applicants.

Oluwatuyi reminded the public that NELFUND maintains strict adherence to transparency and safety throughout its operations.

“We urge everyone to avoid clicking on unverified links and to never submit personal or financial information on suspicious websites,” she said.

She further advised that all official announcements would only be made via NELFUND’s verified channels.

“We remain committed to a transparent and fair process for all loan applicants. Students and families should stay vigilant and only rely on information from our official platforms.”

The fake student loan portal has already raised cybersecurity concerns among education stakeholders.

Our goal is to support Nigerian students with credible and safe access to education funding. We urge every applicant to stay informed, verify links, and when in doubt, contact us directly.

Some students who received the message believed it to be authentic due to the inclusion of President Tinubu’s name.

Oluwatuyi warned against this tactic, explaining that scammers often reference high-profile figures to gain credibility.

She appealed to students and the general public to help combat the spread of such misinformation by reporting any suspicious websites or messages directly to NELFUND. Reports can be made via email at [info@nelf.gov.ng](mailto:info@nelf.gov.ng).

In addition, Oluwatuyi encouraged engagement through NELFUND’s social media handles for real-time updates.

“Students can reach us on X (formerly Twitter) via @nelfund, on Instagram via @nelfund, and on Facebook and LinkedIn under Nigerian Education Loan Fund – NELFUND,” she said.

The fund is also working with relevant authorities to identify and shut down the fake website while tracking those behind the fraudulent campaign.

The fake student loan portal is the latest in a series of digital scams targeting students, particularly since the federal government’s loan scheme was launched.

While the programme offers hope to many in pursuit of tertiary education, it has unfortunately become a target for fraudsters seeking to exploit public interest.

As NELFUND expands its services and continues to roll out the Student Loan Application System (SLAS), Oluwatuyi emphasised that due diligence from both officials and applicants remains critical.

“Our goal is to support Nigerian students with credible and safe access to education funding. We urge every applicant to stay informed, verify links, and when in doubt, contact us directly,” she concluded.

With fraudsters increasing their efforts to deceive, NELFUND’s timely intervention may be the difference between safety and financial loss for many vulnerable students.

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The fake student loan portal now serves as a grim reminder of the risks of misinformation in the digital age.