The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has cautioned students and the general public to be vigilant amid a rise in fraudulent schemes targeting its interest-free student loan programme.

The warning followed the circulation of a fake notice claiming the launch of a new 2026 registration portal.

In a statement shared via its official X handle on Thursday, the Fund urged Nigerians to verify all links and rely only on its authorised communication channels to avoid falling victim to scams.

“For reliable information, please ensure you verify all links and rely solely on our official platforms. Beware of misinformation, fake news, and scams,” the agency advised.

According to NELFUND, the fraudulent notice falsely claimed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the creation of a new portal to address challenges faced by students.

The notice also included a suspicious link, which the Fund confirmed was not affiliated with its official platform and should not be trusted.

NELFUND noted that similar scams had emerged in the past, particularly in 2025, when fake messages circulated online promising easy access to funds or falsely announcing the reopening of application portals.

The student loan scheme, established under the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, provides interest-free loans to eligible students, covering tuition fees and monthly upkeep.

Repayment is structured to begin two years after beneficiaries complete the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in line with the provisions of the law.

The Fund reiterated its commitment to safeguarding applicants and urged prospective beneficiaries to remain cautious and report suspicious messages or platforms.

The Federal Government has introduced a new compensation structure aimed at improving welfare and strengthening workplace protection across the Federal Civil Service. The policy covers civil servants who suffer work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disabilities, or death in the line of duty.

This was disclosed on Thursday in a statement signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, announced the development at the inauguration of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) Help Desk in Abuja, describing it as a key welfare intervention for public servants.

She said the scheme has now been fully operationalised to ensure prompt compensation and support for workers affected by occupational hazards.

“The Employees’ Compensation Scheme is a crucial intervention to provide prompt compensation and support for Civil Servants affected by work-related diseases, injuries, disabilities, or death,” Walson-Jack stated.

She explained that the initiative is designed to strengthen employee protection and complement existing welfare programmes such as the Group Life Assurance Scheme, which also supports workers and their families in cases of death or disability.

According to her, the move reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity, safety, and welfare of public servants.

“The initiative reflects the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being and dignity of Public Servants,” she added.

As part of the implementation framework, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure smooth execution of the scheme.

The Managing Director of NSITF, Oluwaseyi Faleye, described the initiative as an important step toward building a structured and transparent compensation system for federal workers.

Faleye said, “The ECS is a major step toward institutionalising structured care and protection for Civil Servants, supported by a transparent, payroll-driven system.”

He further noted that the newly launched ECS Help Desk would serve as a dedicated platform for information sharing, claims processing support, and feedback management.

“To improve service delivery, the ECS Help Desk will offer information, claims support, and a feedback platform,” he added.

The Federal Government said the initiative represents a significant milestone in strengthening workforce protection and promoting a more responsive, efficient, and welfare-driven public service.