The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has warned tertiary institutions accused of withholding tuition refunds meant for students under the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, saying it has begun engaging affected schools and relevant authorities to enforce compliance.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the Fund also condemned arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges, describing such practices as inconsistent with the objectives of the student loan programme.
According to NELFUND, some institutions have failed to refund students who paid their tuition fees before the Fund later settled the same fees directly with the schools.
“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund 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 Fund said.
It stressed that the student loan initiative was introduced to remove financial barriers to higher education and should not become a source of additional hardship for beneficiaries.
“The Student Loan Scheme, an initiative of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was established to remove financial barriers to higher education, not to create additional burdens for Nigerian students,” the statement added.
NELFUND said it has commenced discussions with the affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that eligible students receive their refunds and that school charges remain fair and transparent.
“NELFUND is engaging the affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that due refunds are made to eligible students and that institutional charges remain fair, transparent, and consistent with the objectives of the scheme,” it stated.
The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of students and safeguarding the credibility of the student loan programme.
“NELFUND remains committed to protecting the interests of students and preserving the integrity of this landmark national intervention,” the statement said.
The warning follows growing complaints from beneficiaries who claim that some tertiary institutions have failed to refund tuition fees already paid by students despite receiving payments from NELFUND. Others have also raised concerns over delays in processing the refunds.
Under the student loan scheme, NELFUND pays approved tuition fees directly to public tertiary institutions, while successful applicants receive upkeep allowances through their personal bank accounts.
