Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has dismissed news reports of the mismanagement of the students loan scheme. This is as the body expressed dismay over what it called inaccurate, misleading and dangerously speculative reports in the public space regarding the administration of the student loan scheme.
This was contained in a statement by NELFUND’s Director, Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the reports, which suggested “misappropriation and mismanagement of funds, are entirely false. Grossly irresponsible, and deeply damaging to the integrity of an institution established to deliver financial hope to millions of Nigerians.”
“This is a coordinated distortion of facts that undermines public trust, weaponizes misinformation. And threatens the credibility of a national intervention still in its infancy,” the statement added.
Oluwatuyi stated that no funds have been mismanaged, stolen, or are unaccounted for under the current NELFUND student loan scheme.
“The scheme officially launched its student loan application portal in 2024. As of today, all institutional fees are paid directly to verified institutions. While upkeep allowances are disbursed to the verified bank accounts of eligible student applicants.
“The figures and funding amounts currently being misrepresented in the public are drawn from entirely different education financing interventions predating NELFUND’s operational commencement.
“They bear no relevance to the current student loan scheme. And should not be falsely attributed to this institution,” the stated.
The Fund noted that it operates a zero human interface. Fully automated loan system that eliminates opportunities for financial misconduct.
It said, “Every application and disbursement is digitally tracked, time stamped, and verifiable.
“Our commitment to transparency and cooperation with oversight agencies, including the ICPC, is total and unwavering.
“We have complied fully with every request for information. And will continue to uphold the highest standards of public accountability,” the statement said.
NELFUND, therefore, bemoaned the circulation of unverified, context-free, and inflammatory claims at the critical stage of implementation.
It described the reports as, “is not only reckless, but a deliberate sabotage of a nationally significant, people centered programme designed to expand access to tertiary education and economic mobility.
“We call on the media, stakeholders, and the public to resist the pull of sensationalism and await verified updates directly from NELFUND.
“We remain focused, undeterred, and committed to the transparent delivery of this national mandate. The future of Nigeria’s youth is too important to be hijacked by misinformation,” NELFUND added.