NELFUND Slams Tertiary Institutions for Raising Fees, Delaying Student Refunds

 

NELFUND Condemns Tuition Fee Hikes, Refund Delays by Tertiary Institutions

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has criticised what it described as unethical practices by some tertiary institutions in the implementation of the Federal Government's Student Loan Scheme. The agency accused the institutions of delaying or refusing to refund students who had already paid their tuition fees before NELFUND disbursed the loan funds.

The Fund also raised concerns over reports that some institutions have arbitrarily increased tuition fees and other charges, warning that such actions undermine the purpose of the student loan programme introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to improve access to higher education.

In a statement issued on Monday, NELFUND's Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the scheme was created to remove financial barriers to higher education, not to impose additional hardship on students through unfair institutional practices.

She disclosed that the Fund is engaging the affected institutions and relevant authorities to address the reported violations. According to her, efforts are ongoing to ensure that students who paid their tuition before the loan disbursements receive the refunds they are entitled to.

NELFUND also stressed that tuition fees and other institutional charges must remain fair, transparent, and consistent with the objectives of the student loan initiative. It warned institutions against actions that could erode public confidence in the programme.

"The Student Loan Scheme was established to remove financial barriers to higher education, not to create additional burdens for Nigerian students," the statement read.

The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of student beneficiaries while preserving the integrity and credibility of the Federal Government's flagship education financing programme.