The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has begun a clampdown on tertiary institutions accused of withholding refunds owed to students under the Federal Government’s student loan programme, warning that it is already engaging affected schools and relevant authorities to enforce compliance.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the Fund also condemned reports of arbitrary increases in tuition fees and other institutional charges, describing such actions as inconsistent with the goals of the student loan scheme.
NELFUND expressed concern that some institutions have either delayed or outright refused to refund students who had already paid their tuition before the Fund later disbursed the same fees directly to the schools on their behalf.
“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 statement said.
The agency stressed that the Student Loan Scheme was created to remove financial barriers to higher education, not to place additional burdens on students.
“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,” it added.
NELFUND said it has already commenced discussions with affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure that eligible students receive their refunds and that all charges remain fair, transparent, and aligned with the objectives of the scheme.
“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,” the Fund stated.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding students’ interests and maintaining public trust in what it described as a landmark national intervention.
“NELFUND remains committed to protecting the interests of students and preserving the integrity of this landmark national intervention,” it said.
The development comes amid growing complaints from beneficiaries of the student loan scheme, who allege that some institutions have failed to refund tuition fees paid before NELFUND settled the same obligations directly with their schools. Students have also raised concerns about delays in processing refunds despite confirmations that institutions had already received payments from the Fund.
The student loan programme, introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, is designed to expand access to higher education by providing interest-free loans to eligible students in public tertiary institutions. Under the scheme, NELFUND pays tuition fees directly to schools, while approved upkeep allowances are credited to students’ personal accounts.
Since the commencement of disbursements, NELFUND has repeatedly warned institutions that students who paid fees before the Fund’s intervention are entitled to full refunds once payments are made on their behalf.
Monday’s statement signals a stronger enforcement approach as the agency moves to prevent practices that could undermine confidence in the student loan initiative.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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