The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has warned students and members of the public to be alert to growing scam attempts targeting its interest-free student loan scheme.

The warning follows the circulation of a fake notice claiming that a new 2026 student loan registration portal had been opened.

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Thursday, NELFUND advised Nigerians to verify all links and depend only on its authorised communication channels.

“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,” the Fund stated.

According to NELFUND, the fraudulent message falsely claimed that President Bola Tinubu had directed the reopening of the portal because of challenges being faced by students.

The fake notice also promoted a suspicious website link, presenting it as an official platform for student loan registration and cash transfers.

NELFUND described the portal as fraudulent and urged students not to engage with it.

This is not the first time scammers have attempted to exploit the student loan programme.

Similar fake messages circulated in 2025, falsely announcing presidential directives to reopen application portals or promising quick cash payments to applicants.

The NELFUND scheme was established under the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, signed into law by President Tinubu.

The programme provides interest-free loans to eligible Nigerian students, covering tuition fees and monthly upkeep allowances.

Repayment is expected to begin two years after beneficiaries complete the National Youth Service Corps programme.