The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has approved the loan applications of 3,283 students from the University of Ibadan, Okay.ng reports.
This was confirmed by the university’s management in a circular issued on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
While the loans have been approved, the disbursement of funds remains pending, according to an internal memorandum released by the varsity administration.
The memo, signed by the university’s Registrar, G.O. Salisu, directed that students whose loans have been approved should be allowed to sit for their 2023/2024 first-semester examinations despite the pending release of funds.
“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,” the memo stated.
It continued, “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 announcement comes in the wake of recent protests by University of Ibadan students following a hike in tuition fees endorsed by the university’s governing council.
The protests were triggered after a circular issued last Thursday by G.O. Saliu, the council’s secretary, informed students about the new fee structure for both newly admitted and returning undergraduate students.
The university administration had previously instructed students to complete their registration and fee payments by Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to participate in the first-semester examinations.
However, the approval of the loans offers financial relief for the 3,283 students, allowing them to move forward with their academic obligations.
