BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances

BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances

Students of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Northwest University Kano have called on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expedite the payment of outstanding monthly upkeep allowances, saying prolonged delays are affecting their welfare, academic activities and ability to meet essential daily expenses.

The students said many beneficiaries are still awaiting several months of the ₦20,000 NELFUND monthly upkeep allowance, despite assurances that the outstanding payments would be processed.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns among student beneficiaries over delays in the disbursement of upkeep funds, which many depend on for transportation, feeding, accommodation and the purchase of books and other academic materials.

The President of the BUK Students’ Union Government (SUG), Abdulmudalib Kalli-Sherrif, said nearly 30,000 students at the university are benefiting from the NELFUND student loan scheme, which provides support for institutional charges and approved monthly upkeep expenses.

He explained that about four months of unpaid allowances accumulated because of a mismatch between BUK’s academic calendar and NELFUND’s payment schedule after the university’s academic session was extended.

“About four months’ backlog was created due to the mismatch of the calendars of BUK and NELFUND, which extended the session. NELFUND has updated its system and assured us that students will receive the outstanding allowances soon,” Kalli-Sherrif said.

He added that some beneficiaries had started receiving payments, with students in Batch A recently credited with ₦20,000, while others were still waiting for their outstanding allowances.

Kalli-Sherrif commended the Federal Government for introducing the NELFUND student loan programme, describing it as an important intervention that has reduced the financial burden of higher education for many students and their families.

READ ALSO:

• Tinubu tells 2027 rivals: We’ll wrestle ourselves to the finishing line
• Oshiomhole Just Revealed the Real Reason Obi Defeated Tinubu in Lagos
• Lawyers Sue Tinubu, AGF, Edo Gov Over Alleged Threat to Peter Obi’s Life

At Northwest University Kano, beneficiaries also expressed concern over delays in the payment of their upkeep allowances and appealed for a more reliable and transparent disbursement process.

A beneficiary and Building Technology student, Haruna Sani, said he recently received ₦20,000 but was still expecting payments for about two months.

“I received ₦20,000 last week, but I am still expecting payment for about two months. We were assured that the outstanding allowance may be paid soon,” he said.

Haruna urged NELFUND and relevant authorities to consider a more flexible arrangement for tuition support, especially for students who paid their institutional charges before their loan applications were approved.

He noted that some students who used personal or family funds to pay their fees before benefiting from the scheme were still waiting for refunds.

Another beneficiary, Hussaina Bashir of the Department of Educational Foundations, said delayed upkeep payments had made it difficult for some students to buy textbooks, course materials and other essential academic resources.

She appealed to NELFUND to ensure that approved allowances are released promptly and consistently so students can plan their academic and personal expenses.

The spokesperson for the Northwest University Kano SUG, Umar Ibrahim, said the union had received complaints from beneficiaries across different faculties.

He said the delayed payments were affecting not only students but also small businesses operating around the university, as many students had less money available for food, transportation and other daily needs.

Ibrahim called for the immediate payment of outstanding allowances and urged the Federal Government to review the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep stipend in view of rising living and transportation costs.

The Dean of Student Affairs at Northwest University Kano, Ibrahim Musa, confirmed that the institution had received complaints from students but clarified that the university does not disburse the allowances.

According to him, NELFUND pays approved upkeep funds directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, while the university may only become aware of successful payments after students receive transaction alerts.

Musa said the institution had engaged relevant authorities over the complaints and was informed that the delays were linked to the release and processing of funds for onward disbursement.

The development has renewed calls for stronger coordination between NELFUND, tertiary institutions and relevant government agencies to ensure that approved student loans, upkeep allowances and tuition-related refunds are processed without unnecessary delays.

Parents of beneficiaries have also welcomed the student loan initiative but expressed concern that delayed upkeep payments and refunds could place additional financial pressure on families.

One parent, Zulai Abubakar, said many families borrowed money or made significant sacrifices to pay school fees before their children were approved for the NELFUND loan.

She urged tertiary institutions to process refunds promptly after receiving institutional payments from the Fund.

Another parent, Muyideen Akorede, described the programme as a commendable intervention but warned that prolonged delays in refunds and upkeep payments could weaken public confidence in the scheme.

Fatima Sani, also a parent, said many students depend on the monthly allowance for transportation, feeding and the purchase of academic materials, adding that delayed payments could affect their ability to participate fully in academic activities.

The NELFUND student loan scheme was introduced to expand access to higher education by providing eligible Nigerian students with financial support for institutional charges and approved living expenses.

Students and parents are now urging NELFUND to improve communication with beneficiaries, provide clearer payment timelines and ensure that outstanding allowances are cleared promptly.

They said timely and predictable disbursement would reduce financial pressure on students and families, support academic participation and strengthen confidence in the government’s efforts to make higher education more accessible and affordable.

BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances