NELFUND LAUNCHES PROBE INTO 34 TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OVER STUDENT LOAN REFUND COMPLAINTS

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has commenced investigations into 34 tertiary institutions following a wave of complaints from students over delayed or unpaid tuition fee refunds.

According to NELFUND Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, the institutions are being investigated after numerous petitions alleged that some schools failed to refund students who had already paid their tuition before NELFUND later settled the same fees under the Federal Government's student loan scheme.

NELFUND explained that the issue arose because many students paid their fees before the student loan programme was fully rolled out, resulting in some institutions receiving payment twice—once from the student and later from NELFUND. The Fund maintains that affected institutions are expected to refund the students without unnecessary delays.

The agency disclosed that it is working with anti-corruption agencies, internal auditors and student representatives to investigate the allegations and ensure affected students receive the refunds due to them. It also warned institutions against arbitrary tuition increases that undermine the objective of the student loan scheme.

NELFUND reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian students and preserving the integrity of the Federal Government's student loan initiative, promising that any institution found to have violated the process will be held accountable in line with the law.

Do you think institutions delaying student loan refunds should face sanctions?

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