NELFUND to engage univarsities, others over delay in student refunds

NELFUND to engage univarsities, others over delay in student refunds

Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has warned tertiary institutions against delaying refunds to students who already paid their tuition before loan disbursement.

In a statement issued by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, director of strategic communications, NELFUND also expressed concern over what it termed as “arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges” by the tertiary institutions.

“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has noted with concern reports of some tertiary institutions delaying or refusing to refund students whose tuition fees had already been paid before NELFUND disbursements, as well as arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges,” the statement reads.

The agency said it is engaging affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that eligible students receive their refunds while charges imposed by institutions remain fair and transparent.

NELFUND reiterated its commitment to protecting students’ interests and safeguarding the integrity of the students loan scheme.

The development follows concerns raised by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over growing complaints from students on their institutions failure to refund tuition fees, months and even years after NELFUND released payments on their behalf.

NELFUND was established in April 2024, and by June 25, had disbursed about N282 billion as tuition fees and upkeep allowance for more than 1.5 million students across 301 institutions nationwide.