NELFUND CALLS ON UNILAG TO REFUND FEES PAID BY STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE FUND 21-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has called on the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to refund fees paid by students who have received financial support from the Fund.
The Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyer, made the call during a sensitization meeting with students of the institution.
Mr. Sawyerr said the refund would address complaints from students who paid their fees before the Fund disbursed their loan payments to the university.
He further reminded tertiary institutions across the country of their agreement with the NELFUND not to bar students from academic activities due to nonpayment of fees, particularly students who had applied for, and been verified under, the loan scheme.
Mr. Sawyerr, represented by the Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, who emphasized the importance of continued sensitization on campuses to boost student participation in the scheme, advised prospective migrants among student beneficiaries to honor their loan repayment obligations after relocating abroad.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, acknowledged that refund had been made to some students and others would be paid as soon as they provide accurate bank details, to facilitate seamless refunds next week.
The Vice Chancellor attributed the mix up over payment of fees to a mismatch between NELFUND’s disbursement calendar and the university’s academic schedule.
Represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola, she praised the student loan scheme for offering financial relief, noting that despite the modest fees in public universities, many students still struggle to pay.
Professor Ogunsola lauded the federal government’s intervention, describing the zero-interest loan as a game-changer for access to quality education.
During the session, NELFUND’s Head of IT, Mr. Wale Ogunleye, revealed that 7,112 UNILAG students had registered for the loan, 5,566 had been approved, and disbursements had been made to 4,636 students.