Category: Education

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a strong warning to students and the general public about a fraudulent loan application portal and deceptive messages currently circulating on social media platforms. In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, clarified that the information suggesting that President Bola Tinubu ordered the reopening of the student loan portal is entirely false. “The attention of NELFUND has been drawn to a fraudulent message currently circulating online, falsely claiming that President Bola Tinubu has directed the reopening of the NELFUND Student Loan portal,” the statement read. The misleading message includes a link to a fake website:https://nelfund-student-loan-2025.po-rt-al.com/NELFUND/“This website is FAKE, and the information contained in the message is false and misleading,” Oluwatuyi emphasized. She urged students, parents, and guardians to only rely on the official portal for student loan applications, which remains:🔗 https://nelf.gov.ng To protect applicants, NELFUND advised against clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal and financial information on unverified platforms. The Fund reiterated its commitment to transparency, safety, and fairness in the loan application process. For complaints or reports of suspicious activity, Oluwatuyi encouraged individuals to contact NELFUND via email at info@nelf.gov.ng or through its verified social media handles: The agency assured the public that all official announcements would be made through these platforms.

The Ekiti State Government has restated its unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity in education and enhancing the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), aligning with the Federal Government’s vision for a unified education system across Nigeria. Speaking at an event commemorating the International Albinism Awareness Day in Ado Ekiti, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, emphasized the administration’s resolve to implement inclusive policies that cater to the needs of all learners, including students with special needs. The celebration, organized in partnership with the Office of Disability Affairs, drew over 300 participants with albinism from across Ekiti’s 16 local government areas and Local Council Development Authorities (LCDAs), underlining the state’s dedication to disability inclusion. Princess Agboola assured attendees that modalities are being developed to promote a sense of belonging and equal opportunity for all students regardless of physical or social differences. “Ekiti will not be left behind in the Federal Government’s drive for a unified and inclusive education system,” she said. She urged parents and guardians of children with special needs to actively collaborate with schools to address individual challenges, stressing that inclusive education thrives on strong home-school partnerships. Commending the Ekiti State Albinism Association, Princess Agboola pledged continued government support in providing access to medical experts and necessary resources to address the unique needs of persons with albinism. She also encouraged the community to help attract professionals—especially in the healthcare sector—by showcasing Ekiti in a positive light. Highlighting the vision of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, she reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to economic empowerment and vocational training for unemployed or underemployed members of the association. A key highlight of the event was a comprehensive health outreach by dermatologists from the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. Led by Dr. Olufemi Ologun, the team conducted skin and blood tests, provided skin cancer screenings, and offered consultations on preventive care. Dr. Ologun identified lack of skin protection and vision impairment as the two most pressing health issues for persons with albinism, recommending the use of UV-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and avoidance of direct sunlight exposure. In his remarks, Mr. Oniya Johnson Oluwafemi, Chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, clarified that albinism is a genetic condition—not a disease—primarily affected by sun exposure. He expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji and the Office of the Special Adviser for their sustained support, particularly the provision of UV umbrellas, sunblock creams, and economic inclusion programs. Mr. Oluwafemi encouraged members of the albinism community to harness their talents for the betterment of Ekiti and reaffirmed the association’s support for Governor Oyebanji’s second-term ambition, citing confidence in the administration’s continued advocacy for disability rights.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has refuted recent allegations of fund mismanagement, calling the claims false, misleading, and harmful to public trust. In a statement by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND clarified that the student loan scheme, launched in 2024, operates through a fully automated, zero human-interface system with all payments made directly to verified institutions and students’ accounts. The agency stressed that the figures being circulated relate to older education programmes unrelated to NELFUND and reaffirmed its full compliance with oversight agencies like the ICPC, urging the public to disregard sensational reports and await verified updates.