‘Tinubu must stay’ — students start TikTok challenge to celebrate NELFund upkeep payment

The recent disbursement of outstanding upkeep allowances by
the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has triggered celebration, with
students across the country turning their payment alerts into a TikTok trend.

 

Launched by President Bola Tinubu in May 2024, NELFUND is an
interest-free loan scheme designed to cover tuition fees and provide monthly
stipends for students enrolled in public tertiary institutions.

Since its official rollout on May 24, the fund has disbursed
over N191 billion, benefiting more than 1.1 million students.

However, students at several institutions had reportedly not
received their monthly upkeep payments since April. Over the past few days,
NELFUND has begun clearing the backlog, disbursing the outstanding stipends for
May, June, and July.

The influx of payments has generated significant excitement
online.

On TikTok, students from various universities and
polytechnics have posted videos celebrating the receipt of their funds.

While many clips simply show joyful reactions to the bank
alerts, others have taken a political turn, with some beneficiaries using
captions such as “Tinubu must stay, NELFUND oyee” and “Tinubu till I graduate.
If it’s your turn don’t vote him, our good father,” calls that suggest the
president deserves a second term because of the scheme.

See some clips below:

NELFUND UPDATE: Federal University of Dutse Students Celebrate Their Students’ Upkeep Sent by NELFUND!@NELFUND pic.twitter.com/PCNZhqHBvj

— 36kinniun media👑 🦁 🕊 (@fattylincorn_01) July 27, 2026

@NELFUND beneficiary firing back at the so called “critics” of the highly successful scheme of the President @officialABAT Administration.#NELFUND pic.twitter.com/OuYBgQZbTH

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) July 28, 2026

NELFUND is the joy giver

Pls How will Peter Obi convince all this guy and millions of Nigerians students not to vote for Tinubu in 2027? How?😂👇 pic.twitter.com/THpcZmozoR

— A. Ayofe (@abdullahayofel) July 27, 2026

Oko, This NELFUND challenge on TikTok is crazy………. Nigerian students no gree for Peter Obi oo 😂 🔥🔥 https://t.co/ZPTWJAKDxI pic.twitter.com/617Tku3ZAL

— A. Ayofe (@abdullahayofel) July 27, 2026

I keep seeing students on my TL celebrating NELFUND.

Just a gentle reminder:

NELFUND is a LOAN, not a grant.

Yes, it’s interest-free, which makes it far better than most loans. But it is not free money. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries are expected to repay it. For…

— Grace (omo’badan) (@ifetemini) July 28, 2026

@fud.hostel.fun

FUD hostel fun# aluta NELFUND # 40k once # tinubu 4+ 4

♬ original sound – FUD hostel fun 🤩🥳😎

@its_fudblog NELFUND BENEFICIARIES 🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯💯💯💯#fypシ #trending #blowthisupforme #blowup #cinematic @Federal university dutse 🎓 @Sen Muhammad Bello ♬ original sound – Anas Wamakkour

@ayo_editz1 NBL😂🖤🎉#relatable #studentlife #university #viraltiktok #fypシ゚ ♬ son original – granat.vibes

Reacting to the trend on X, NELFund said it was pleased to
see students happy with the upkeep payments, adding that it remains committed
to improving the scheme through feedback from beneficiaries.

We’re delighted to have brought smiles to the faces of these young, promising Nigerian students

We’re committed to do more, open to receive feedback that could improve our operations to serve Nigerian students better.@NELFUND #NelfundNigeria 🇳🇬 https://t.co/8rFS2luXLi

— NELFUND Nigeria 🇳🇬 (@NelfundNigeria) July 28, 2026

“We’re delighted to have brought smiles to the faces of
these young, promising Nigerian students,” the post reads.

“We’re committed to do more, open to receive feedback that
could improve our operations to serve Nigerian students better.”

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