The Registrar of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Dr. John David, has clarified that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund operates as a refund system. He explained that the initiative reimburses students based on the amount already paid as school fees, countering claims of withheld funds.
His explanation follows a protest on Monday where selected students blocked the institution’s main gate. The demonstrators, chanting solidarity songs and carrying leaves, restricted access to the campus to compel the bursary department to release funds.
“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?” David asked.
He noted that only 76 students had yet to benefit due to incomplete registration. 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.”
One of the protesters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, insisted that the money had been sent to the school. “We applied for the loan and have not been paid, but we learnt the money has already been sent to the school. We are asking management to pay us, otherwise we will continue to block the gate,” the student stated.
Dr. David dismissed the allegations, insisting that nearly all eligible students have received their payments. He revealed that officials including the Dean of Students and the Chief Security Officer attempted to engage the protesters but were unsuccessful due to the rowdy nature of the gathering.
He questioned the composition of the crowd, suggesting the involvement of non students. “The number of those yet to benefit is 76, yet more than 100 people were protesting. Many did not appear to be students and were behaving unusually. Normally, student leaders meet with management to discuss issues, but that did not happen here,” the Registrar observed.
