The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has requested that the University of Lagos (UNILAG) refund students who paid their school fees out of pocket before receiving their loan payments.
This call came during a sensitisation meeting between NELFUND officials and UNILAG students on May 21, 2025, in Lagos.
NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, speaking through the Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, explained that many students initially had to pay their fees while waiting for their loan funds to be disbursed.
He urged the university to return those fees to affected students. Sawyerr also reminded all Nigerian universities not to block students from academic activities if they have applied for and been verified under the loan scheme, even if their fees remain unpaid.
He further advised beneficiaries who move abroad to ensure they repay their loans promptly. UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, via the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola, confirmed that refunds have been issued to many students and promised that the remaining refunds would be completed soon. She asked students to provide the correct bank details to avoid delays.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the confusion around payments resulted from a mismatch between NELFUND’s disbursement schedule and the university’s academic calendar, adding that the loan scheme remains crucial in helping students access quality education.
NELFUND’s Head of IT, Wale Ogunleye, stated that 7,112 UNILAG students registered for the loan, with 5,566 approved and 4,636 already receiving the funds.
He reminded applicants to meet eligibility requirements, including confirmed admission and submission of necessary documents.
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