The management of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, has refuted reports alleging that the institution has failed to refund tuition fees paid by beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund who had earlier settled their fees before their loan disbursement.

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

Oluwajana stressed that the university refutes claims suggesting it has withheld refunds due to eligible students, adding that the institution would never engage in any act capable of undermining or frustrating the successful implementation of the NELFUND programme.

The clarification follows a statement released on Wednesday by the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Babatunde Akinteye, who listed EKSU among institutions that had received tuition payments from NELFUND on behalf of qualified students but had yet to reimburse those who had settled their fees before the loan disbursement.

According to Oluwajana, the refund process is ongoing and is being carried out in batches in line with established administrative procedures, with only a few outstanding cases involving students who have discrepancies relating to their NELFUND dashboard, payment records or account details.

He explained that affected students have been advised to visit the NELFUND Desk Office or the university's Bursary Department for verification and confirmation of their bank details to facilitate resolution and processing of their refunds.

EKSU reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and due process in the administration of the NELFUND scheme, and commended the Federal Government for what it described as a laudable initiative aimed at expanding access to higher education through financial support for students.