Students from at least 23 public universities and polytechnics in Nigeria have expressed frustration over the delayed disbursement of their approved institutional loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). As deadlines for tuition payment and examinations draw near, affected students have taken to social media to demand urgent action.
The Students Loan (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on April 3, 2024, was designed to provide sustainable higher education funding for Nigerian students. Since its implementation, NELFUND has disbursed substantial sums, with N20.07 billion allocated for institutional fees and N12.81 billion for student stipends. However, despite these efforts, many students remain without the funds they urgently need.
Affected students from institutions such as the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Federal University, Lokoja, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and others have raised concerns. Many have reported that their school portals will close within days, preventing them from completing tuition payments or registering for upcoming examinations.
Social media has been flooded with complaints, with students sharing their struggles. Musty Jr, a University of Maiduguri student, lamented that despite applying and being verified since August 2024, he had not received any funds. Similarly, Orji Oyidiya Chukwu from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) expressed concerns about his brother’s inability to pay fees before the school’s portal closure on February 14. Others, like Stephen Ayobami from Federal University, Lokoja, emphasized that without disbursement, students would be unable to sit for their exams.
In Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Kano, the Students’ Union Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Nura, issued a circular warning that failure to pay tuition fees before the deadline could have severe consequences for students. Another student, Abba Yusuf, confirmed that neither institutional fees nor upkeep stipends had been disbursed, despite verification since August 2024.
Students from polytechnics also expressed their grievances. Oladiran Kayode reported that several students at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, had yet to receive their allocated funds. Meanwhile, Kolapo James Ayomi from LAUTECH lamented that exams had already begun, yet students unable to pay tuition could not register their courses.
According to reports, once NELFUND approves payments, student details are sent back to institutions for verification, but many schools do not respond promptly.
As the situation unfolds, affected students continue to urge authorities to expedite the disbursement process, ensuring that they can complete tuition payments and avoid disruptions to their academic pursuits.
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