Fake Loan Repayment Circular Sends Nigerian Students’ Blood Pressure Soaring
By Naija Enquirer Staff
For many Nigerian students, the thought of repaying loans while still searching for jobs is enough to send their blood pressure soaring. On Saturday, 24 January 2026, a circulating fake document suggesting that beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) must start repayment immediately sparked widespread panic across campuses and social media. The document, supposedly issued by the University of Benin (UNIBEN), outlined repayment procedures that simply did not exist. Students flooded WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter) with screenshots and messages, expressing confusion and anxiety. “I was seriously panicking,” said one UNIBEN graduate, who asked not to be named. “I thought I had to start paying thousands of naira immediately, even before securing a job.” NELFUND acted swiftly to calm fears. In an official statement, the fund described the circulating claims as “false, misleading, and unfounded” and emphasised that repayment rules are set by the NELFUND Establishment Act. The law makes clear that students are not required to repay loans while still in school, repayment is not expected if graduates remain unemployed, and repayment only begins once a beneficiary secures gainful employment. The statement, signed by Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications, urged students and the public to rely solely on official channels, including NELFUND’s email ([email protected] ) and its verified social media accounts. UNIBEN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edoba Bright Omoregie (SAN), also publicly disowned the circular, confirming it had not originated from the university. “No such guidelines exist,” he said. The scare is not the first of its kind. NELFUND has previously addressed misinformation, including exaggerated claims about disbursement figures. In May 2025, reports that ₦104 billion had been given to 600,000 students were debunked, with official figures showing roughly ₦40 billion to fewer than 200,000 students. Other false alarms have included scam registration links and misleading notices about refunds, prompting institutions such as Modibbo Adama University to issue clarifications. Social media erupted as NELFUND’s rebuttal went live. Within hours, the official post had racked up more than 10,000 views, alongside hundreds of likes, reposts, and replies. Many students expressed relief, while others condemned the spread of fake news. Influential accounts such as @abdullahayofel
