Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM), has ordered students to vacate the campus after protests erupted over alleged delays and discrepancies in the disbursement of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a memo dated 23 March and signed by the Registrar, John David, the university announced an immediate Easter break from 23 March to 7 April, instructing all students to leave their hostels by 6 p.m. that Monday.

The decision followed a demonstration earlier in the day, during which students blocked the university’s main entrance, demanding transparency in NELFUND payments. Protesters carried placards with messages such as “No NELFUND, No Exams” and “Refund Our Money” while chanting slogans in unison.

Some students, speaking anonymously to PREMIUM TIMES, claimed that although their loan applications were approved, they either had not received any funds or were paid less than expected.

“We applied for this loan and got approval, but nothing has entered our accounts,” one student said. “We were told the money was sent to the school, so why aren’t we getting it?”

Another student described the process as confusing and frustrating. “NELFUND is a loan, not a gift. We are expected to repay it after school, so why is there no clarity? Some students received less than what was approved,” the student added.

Several others accused the school of repeatedly shutting down academic activities whenever complaints arise instead of resolving the issues. “Each time we protest, they send us on break. When we return, nothing has changed,” a student said. “This is simple—pay the students and restore peace.”

The student union leadership called for calm, urging protesters to remain peaceful and avoid property damage. The NUBESS president assured students that efforts were ongoing to address their concerns.

The university management, however, rejected claims of widespread non-payment. Registrar John David said most eligible students had already received their funds, noting that only 76 students had yet to benefit due to incomplete registration.

“Registration means you have paid your fees and are eligible for reimbursement under NELFUND. If you haven’t paid, there’s nothing to refund,” David explained. He clarified that the scheme operates on a reimbursement basis, depending on what students have already paid. “If you paid N56,000 or N63,000, that’s what you get back. If you paid only N200, you can’t expect a full refund,” he added.

David also questioned the identities of some protesters, suggesting that not all may be students, and warned that the disruption could affect academic activities, especially with exams approaching.

NELFUND, established under the Student Loan Act of April 2024, provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition and living expenses. Official records show the programme has received over 1.69 million applications and disbursed approximately N183.8 billion, including payments directly to schools and student allowances.

Despite this, concerns over transparency and delays in payment have persisted at several institutions. At JoSTUM, the recent unrest has heightened student anxiety about potential disruptions to their academic calendar.

“We’re already preparing for exams, and now we’re being sent home without any resolution,” one student said. “When we return, the problem will still be there.”

As of this report, the university had not indicated whether it would engage student representatives during the break to resolve the issues.