University of Ibadan leadership has announced through an internal memorandum that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has approved the loan applications of 3,284 students of the institution.
The memorandum reads, “Further out circular number REG/13/1.26 of 13 September 2024, I write to you to inform the university community that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has sent to the University of Ibadan a list of 3,283 students whose loan applications had just been approved”.
“Though the money has not been received by the university, the list of the affected students has been sent to the Department and all Heads of departments have been instructed to allow such students to sit for the 2023/ 2024 first semester exams”.
The sudden approvals of the NELFUND loan applications of UI students came in the wake of the crowdfunding galore of the students’ union, many students’ associations, and individuals who have made public appeals, most especially on X (formerly Twitter) to beg for donations in a bid to pay the school fees amid the September 20 deadline for payment and online registration.
UI management released a statement signed by the Registrar, GO Saliu, on Friday 13 August 2024 that there would be no reopening of the portal for fee payment or course registration after 20 September 2024, having given the students a compulsory three-week break to find their school fees and restore calmness in the school amidst the relentless civil demonstrations of the students demanding that the fees must fall.
Tribune Online reported how the students’ union solicited 500 million naira to pay the school fees of 500 students and how a lot of associations crowdfunded to pay the school fees of their members.
Resolution of student protesters
Student protesters who are against the fee hike have reiterated their stance that the students in the institution want a reversal of fees and not student loans.
The students have planned to embark on another peaceful protest on Friday at 8 am in the school to press home their demands against the fee hike and the orders of the management in the internal memorandum released on September 13 stating that the students who have not paid their school fees would not be allowed to enter halls of residence and sit the examinations, which will begin on Monday.
Nice Linus, one of the concerned students, spoke to Tribune Online to echo the standpoints of the students relating to the hike in fees and student loan. “We do not want a reduction, we do not want a loan. Loans will make us debtors. It is not sustainable. We do not want to be made prisoners in our own country. We do not want to be made debtors simply because we want education. What we want is quality, accessible education, which is why we are asking for a total reversal of fees.”
When asked whether the protest on Friday would hold, the student said, “Nothing shall discourage us. We won’t stop until our demands are met”
