The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has firmly refuted online claims suggesting that it is responsible for delays in reimbursing students who paid their obligatory fees before receiving loans under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund) scheme.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the university’s Head of Communication Unit, Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, clarified that the institution has no control over the disbursement timeline of the NELFund loans and emphasized that all refunds are being processed in accordance with standard procedures.
“Refunds are typically processed after reconciliation and verification with NELFund,” Alaga-Ibraheem stated. “So far, three tranches of NELFund loans have been received by the university, and beneficiaries across the first two batches have been successfully reimbursed.”
She reiterated that the university has fulfilled its obligations by submitting all required documentation and student information to NELFund promptly. The delays, she noted, are not from the university’s end but are dependent on the fund’s internal reconciliation and payment processes.
The clarification comes amid rising concerns from students and public commentary online suggesting that UNILAG was withholding funds or contributing to delays in the loan refund process. However, the university has categorically denied these accusations, urging students to remain calm and patient as the refund process continues.
UNILAG further emphasized that it remains committed to ensuring that all eligible students who paid their fees prior to the disbursement of NELFund loans are duly refunded. The university has also maintained open communication with NELFund to facilitate seamless transactions and provide timely updates to students.
The Nigeria Education Loan Fund was established by the Federal Government to offer interest-free loans to students in tertiary institutions, aiming to ease the financial burden of higher education. Under the scheme, students who paid tuition and other fees before receiving loan approval are entitled to full reimbursement through their institutions once the funds are disbursed.
Students are encouraged to monitor official communication platforms of both UNILAG and NELFund for the latest updates and are advised to direct loan-specific inquiries to the appropriate NELFund channels.
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