NELFUND warns schools against withholding tuition refunds after loan disbursement
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has raised concerns that some tertiary institutions are delaying or refusing to refund tuition fees paid by students before their NELFUND loans were disbursed. The Fund also warns against arbitrary tuition and institutional charge increases by certain schools, stating these practices undermine the Student Loan Scheme's goal of removing financial barriers to higher education under President Bola Tinubu's administration.
NELFUND's Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the Fund is actively engaging affected institutions and relevant authorities to ensure eligible students receive due refunds and that charges remain fair, transparent, and aligned with the Scheme's objectives. The statement emphasized that the loan initiative, launched to ease access to tertiary education, should not create additional burdens for Nigerian students.
NELFUND highlighted its ongoing impact, noting it has disbursed over ₦206 billion in loans to 1.16 million students since the scheme's launch. While working to resolve refund disputes and prevent unjust fee hikes, the Fund reaffirmed its commitment to protecting student interests and maintaining the integrity of this national intervention. Students facing refund issues are advised to contact their institutions directly while NELFUND pursues institutional accountability.