National News – The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a warning on Thursday, April 23, 2026, alerting students nationwide about fraudulent websites posing as official portals for its interest-free student loan programme.
The agency said scammers are circulating fake 2026 registration links, falsely claiming presidential approval for a new application window under President Bola Tinubu.
NELFUND explained that the aim is to mislead applicants, harvest personal data, and exploit students seeking financial support for tertiary education.
It stressed that only verified official channels should be trusted for accurate updates and applications.
The incident reflects a rising trend of cyber fraud targeting government welfare and education schemes in Nigeria.
With increasing reliance on digital platforms for student loans and financial aid, fraudsters are exploiting public urgency and limited digital literacy.
Security experts warn that fake portals are often designed to mirror official websites, making detection difficult for users.
The timing of the scam, amid growing demand for student funding, further highlights gaps in cybersecurity awareness and enforcement.
Students and parents have reacted with concern, expressing frustration over recurring scams linked to government programmes.
Many are calling for stronger verification systems and faster public alerts from authorities.
Education stakeholders warn that repeated fraud attempts could weaken trust in the student loan initiative.
Others suggest closer cooperation between government agencies, telecom providers, and cybersecurity firms to quickly detect and dismantle fake portals before they spread widely.
NELFUND reiterated that no new portal has been launched and urged applicants to rely only on official announcements.
It advised students to carefully verify all links before submitting personal data.
The agency also encouraged reporting suspicious platforms to relevant authorities.
Experts say continuous public awareness and stronger digital security measures are key to protecting beneficiaries of Nigeria’s student loan scheme.
