By Faith Chondol
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has condemned what it described as unethical practices by some tertiary institutions accused of delaying or refusing to refund students whose tuition fees had already been paid before the disbursement of student loans.
The agency also raised concerns over reports of arbitrary increases in tuition and other institutional charges, warning that such actions undermine the objectives of the Federal Government’s student loan programme.
In a statement issued on Monday June 29th 2026, NELFUND said it had received complaints from students regarding institutions that allegedly failed to return tuition payments after receiving separate disbursements from the Fund on behalf of the same beneficiaries.
The Fund stressed that the Student Loan Scheme, introduced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was designed to remove financial barriers to higher education and expand access for Nigerian students, not to create additional financial burdens.
“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 said it was actively engaging affected institutions and relevant authorities to address the complaints and ensure that eligible students receive refunds where due.
According to NELFUND, institutions participating in the scheme are expected to uphold transparency, fairness, and accountability in their dealings with beneficiaries of the programme.
The Fund further warned against practices that could erode public confidence in the initiative, describing the student loan scheme as a landmark intervention aimed at easing the financial burden on families and supporting educational advancement across the country.
NELFUND assured students that it remains committed to safeguarding their interests and preserving the integrity of the programme.
The latest intervention comes amid growing reliance on the student loan scheme by thousands of Nigerian undergraduates seeking financial support for their studies, making accountability and compliance by participating institutions critical to the programme’s success.
The statement was signed by Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND Nigeria.
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