EKSU Denies Withholding NELFUND Tuition Refunds, Says Reimbursements Ongoing in Batches

Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has dismissed allegations that it failed to refund tuition fees to beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) who had paid their fees before the loan disbursement.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Gbenga Oluwajana on behalf of the Deputy Registrar and Head of the Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, the University said it has been refunding eligible students whose tuition fees were subsequently paid by NELFUND.

According to the statement, the institution has not withheld refunds due to qualified beneficiaries and remains committed to supporting the successful implementation of the Federal Government's student loan programme.

"The university has been diligently refunding eligible students whose tuition fees were subsequently paid by NELFUND. The university, therefore, refutes claims suggesting that it has withheld refunds due to eligible students," the statement read.

The clarification follows allegations by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Babatunde Akinteye, who, in a statement issued on Wednesday, listed EKSU among institutions that had received tuition payments from NELFUND on behalf of eligible students but were yet to reimburse those who had already paid their fees before the loan disbursement.

Responding to the allegations, EKSU explained that the refund process is ongoing and is being conducted in batches in line with established administrative procedures.

The University added that the few outstanding cases involve students with discrepancies relating to their NELFUND dashboard, payment records, or bank account details.

Affected students have been advised to visit the University's NELFUND Desk Office or the Bursary Department for verification, confirmation of bank details, and resolution of any outstanding issues to facilitate the processing of their refunds.

EKSU reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process in administering the NELFUND scheme and commended the Federal Government for introducing the initiative aimed at expanding access to higher education through financial support for students.