NELFUND: How schools, banks are ripping off students

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) said its recent investigations have revealed have uncovered several unethical practices by some institutions of higher learning in the disbursement of the Federal Government Student Loan Fund, NELFUND.

Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, Communications and Media, NOA quoted the Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu as announcing the findings after meeting with NELFUND Managing Director, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, over the weekend.

According to the statement, the findings from investigations conducted by the Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMO) of NOA revealed that the tertiary institutions and banks are conspiring to short-change the students who are beneficiaries of NELFUND.

According to the statement, the reports indicated that certain university officials have been withholding vital information regarding loan disbursements, prompting immediate action from NELFUND.

“The NOA’s feedback shows how specific institutions have, in connivance with some banks, deliberately delayed payments to successful student applicants for personal financial benefit. Some universities fail to acknowledge the NELFUND’s disbursements to the students,” the statement by NOA indicated.

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The statement also quoted Sawyerr as confirming that some institutions are failing to inform students about loan disbursements made in their name while still requiring them to pay tuition fees.

He stated, “Recent findings by NELFUND have shown that some institutions have received student loan disbursements directly into their accounts yet neglect to inform the affected students or record the payments in their financial records, leading to unnecessary confusion.

“Withholding critical financial information from students is not only unethical but also a breach of the principles on which NELFUND was founded. We are prepared to take legal action against any institution engaged in such deceptive practices.”

In response, Mallam Issa-Onilu has issued a strong warning to these institutions and collaborating banks to cease such activities.

“NOA has directed its state directorates to provide further feedback from students across the country to ensure that the Federal Government takes appropriate actions against erring schools and banks,” Mallam Issa-Onilu was quoted as saying.

NELFUND: How schools, banks are ripping off students

Varsity strike looms as NASU alleges secret ASUU-FG deal on allowance

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has expressed concerns over a suspected secret agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) regarding the disbursement of a ₦50bn earned allowance.

NASU’s General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, warned that favouring ASUU over other unions could trigger a new wave of industrial unrest.

Adeyemi, who was speaking at the Universities and Inter-University Centres Trade Group Council Meeting in Abuja, disclosed that the government had promised to release the N50 billion for earned allowances in August 2022, but payment has yet to be made.

The union suspects that the government intends to allocate the entire amount to ASUU alone, citing an exclusive invitation to ASUU for a stakeholders’ meeting on the earned allowance.

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Adeyemi highlighted past grievances over unequal division of funds between academic and non-academic staff, stating, “When they want to share the money, they give 20 per cent to the three non-teaching staff unions and 70 per cent to the academics. We protested this.”

The union demanded a fair and inclusive allocation of the N50bn, emphasising that selective payments would breach agreements and deepen divisions within the university system.

NASU also expressed frustration over the failure of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to fully integrate assets and liabilities, affecting non-teaching staff.

The union condemned the illegal stoppage of union dues in some institutions, citing labour laws.

NASU also criticised the government’s failure to pay arrears and the delayed renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, which stalled in December 2024.

The union warned that unless the earned allowance is distributed fairly and issues surrounding IPPIS and pending agreements are resolved, it will not hesitate to take industrial action.

Varsity strike looms as NASU alleges secret ASUU-FG deal on allowance

2025 UTME: JAMB releases mock results

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ,JAMB, has released the results of the 2025 Mock UTME, conducted on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

To this end, the board said candidates can check their results by sending “MOCKRESULT” to either 55019 or 66019 using the phone number (SIM) registered for the examination.

In a release on Sunday, through its spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB explained that, “This optional mock examination was designed to test the Board’s annual innovations and provide candidates with an opportunity to experience the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment.”

A total of 200,115 candidates initially expressed interest in participating; however, two candidates later withdrew, resulting in 200,113 registered candidates.

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Of those registered, 73,844 candidates were absent on the day of the examination, and 88 candidates failed the biometric verification screening.

Consequently, 126,181 candidates successfully sat for the examination, and results for 115,735 of these candidates are now available for viewing. Additionally, 10,446 results are still being processed and will be released soon.

“The Board acknowledges the delays experienced by some candidates during the examination and regrets any inconvenience caused. These challenges are anticipated due to the new features implemented to enhance the overall conduct of the main UTME. JAMB appreciates the support of candidates and parents in facilitating a smoother process.

“The mock examination serves as a trial version of the UTME, allowing the Board to test new innovations while helping candidates familiarize themselves with the CBT environment. Over the years, this initiative has successfully achieved its objectives, addressing noted lapses and equipping candidates with valuable experience for the main examination, “the board said.

It called on all candidates to “continue making the necessary sacrifices to ensure a better examination experience that effectively serves their interests.”

2025 UTME: JAMB releases mock results