Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, has ordered students to vacate the campus following a protest over alleged irregularities in the disbursement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, with the directive taking effect on March 23, 2026.
The decision was conveyed in an internal memorandum dated March 23 and signed by the Registrar, John David, announcing an immediate Easter break scheduled to run from March 23 to April 7. Students were instructed to leave their hostels by 6 p.m. on the same day.
The closure followed a protest by students who blocked the main gate of the University while demanding clarity on NELFUND payments. Protesters displayed placards bearing messages such as “No NELFUND, No Exams” and “Refund Our Money,” alongside solidarity chants.
Some students who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged delays and inconsistencies in payment. One said, “We applied for this loan and got approval, but up till now, nothing has entered our accounts. We were told the money has already been sent to the school, so why are we not getting it?” Another added, “NELFUND is a loan, not a gift. We are expected to repay it after school, so why is there no transparency in how it is handled? Some people are saying they received less than what was approved.”
Other students criticised repeated shutdowns during protests. One stated, “Each time we protest, they send us on break instead of solving the problem. When we come back, everything is forgotten. This is a simple issue. Pay students their money and let peace return.”
The Student Union Leadership appealed for calm, urging peaceful conduct while assuring Students that concerns were being addressed.
University Management denied claims of widespread non payment. The Registrar stated that most eligible Students had received funds, noting that only 76 students were yet to benefit due to incomplete registration. He said, “Registration means you have paid your fees and will then be refunded under NELFUND. If you did not pay, what exactly would be refunded to you?” He added, “If you paid N56,000 or N63,000, that is what you get back. If you only paid N200, you cannot expect a full refund.”
He also warned that the protest could disrupt academic activities, particularly as examinations were approaching.
NELFUND, established under the Student Loan Act signed in April 2024, provides interest free loans to students in public tertiary institutions. Official data shows over 1.69 million applications and about N183.8 billion disbursed.
