Prosper Okoye
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.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“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 (info@nelf.gov.ng) 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 and @salawueedris1 shared the full statement, highlighting UNIBEN’s disownment of the document.
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Some commentators reflected on the wider challenge of misinformation in Nigeria’s education sector. “These false reports only make students more anxious,” one user wrote. “It is critical that official sources are amplified to stop panic.”
Despite the anxiety caused, NELFUND reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and student welfare, including initiatives such as job placement assistance to ensure graduates can meet repayment obligations when the time comes.
As of Sunday, 25 January 2026, NELFUND continues to monitor false information and urged students to remain calm and verify any messages before sharing them.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
