NELFUND Warns Schools Over Delayed Student Fee Refunds

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has cautioned tertiary institutions against delaying or refusing to refund students who paid their tuition fees before the release of student loan funds. The agency also criticised what it described as unjustified increases in tuition and other institutional charges.

In a statement issued by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND said it had received several reports that some institutions had failed to return fees already paid by students after the agency settled the same tuition costs on their behalf through the NELFUND student loan scheme.

“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) 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 explained that the programme, introduced under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, was created to remove financial barriers to higher education rather than increase the burden on students. It stressed that the NELFUND student loan initiative should not become a reason for schools to impose additional costs.

“It was established to remove financial barriers to higher education, not to create additional burdens for Nigerian students,” the statement added.

NELFUND said it is already engaging affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure eligible students receive their refunds promptly. It also reaffirmed that institutional charges must remain fair, transparent, and consistent with the objectives of the loan programme.

The agency restated its commitment to protecting students and preserving the credibility of the NELFUND student loan scheme. The warning follows complaints raised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over delayed refunds. NELFUND, established in April 2024, said it had disbursed about ₦282 billion for tuition and upkeep allowances to more than 1.5 million students across 301 institutions as of June 25.