NELFUND approves loans for 3,283 UI students

The management of the University of Ibadan has acknowledged that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has approved loan applications for 3,283 students at the university.

In an internal memo issued on Wednesday, management stated that the loans had been approved, but the funds had yet to be received.

The memo, signed by the institution’s Registrar, G. O. Salisu, urged department heads to allow students with approved loans to take the first-semester exams.

“Further to our circular number REG/13/I.26 of 13 September 2024, I write to inform the University of Ibadan community that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has provided a list of 3,283 students whose loan applications have been approved.

“Although the funds have not yet been received by the university, the list of the affected students has been sent to the departments. All Heads of Departments have been instructed to allow these students to sit for the 2023/2024 first-semester examinations.

“This is for information and strict compliance by staff and students,” the memo read.

Students at the University of Ibadan protested after the university’s governing council approved the management’s tuition fee increase.

The protests, which began at midnight last Friday, were allegedly sparked by a circular issued last Thursday by the council’s secretary, G.O. Saliu.

The circular noted that following a meeting on Thursday, the council “considered the reviewed schedule of levies for newly admitted and returning undergraduate students in the 2023/2024 academic session and approved it as recommended by the university Senate.”

It further noted, “Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so on or before Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to enable departments to download lists of registered students in preparation for the first-semester examination.”