Final-year students at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM) Makurdi are grappling with financial uncertainty due to the delay in processing refunds and the disbursement of school fees through the NELFUND initiative. Many students have already paid their fees from personal funds, with no clarity on when, or if, they will be reimbursed.
Though the government disbursed N136.7 million to cover tuition fees for 2,222 students, there have been no updates from the university regarding the release of these funds. Students who receive the monthly N20,000 upkeep stipend from NELFUND are facing further financial strain, as the amount is insufficient to cover both their living expenses and tuition.
The delay in fee disbursement has disrupted academic plans and added to the stress of an already challenging final year. Students have expressed concerns over the lack of communication from the university, as many fear being penalized for late registration. Despite having paid their fees out of pocket to avoid late registration penalties, these students remain unsure of whether they will be refunded.
A final-year Microbiology student shared his concern, stating, “I’ve already paid over ₦52,000 for this semester, and I haven’t received the corresponding tuition coverage. Will I get a refund after graduation?”
The Students’ Union at JOSTUM is actively working with management to resolve the issue, with assurances that funds for school fees have been received. However, the university is still working on connecting its accounts with Remita to facilitate the transfer. Students across other Nigerian universities, including the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Obafemi Awolowo University, have similarly reported difficulties in paying their school fees despite government approvals.
NELFUND, a government initiative, provides interest-free loans to students, with repayment set to begin two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
