The management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike has commenced the refund of school fees to students who paid their tuition before the Federal Government disbursed funds under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The development has been welcomed by beneficiaries, who described the refund as a fulfilment of the promise made by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Ursula Ngozi Akanwa.
Some of the students who confirmed receiving the refunds expressed gratitude to the university management, saying the initiative has eased their financial burden.
A graduate of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Onu Edith Amarachukwu, said she received her refund on July 28 and thanked the Vice-Chancellor for ensuring that students benefited from the Federal Government’s education loan scheme.
Similarly, a 500-level Chemical Engineering student, Ikechi Divine, said he had almost lost hope of receiving the refund, commending the university management for fulfilling its promise within a short period.
Also speaking, a 300-level Civil Engineering student, Samuel Onyeka Ozondiniru, described the gesture as a demonstration of the Vice-Chancellor’s commitment to students’ welfare, noting that it has restored confidence among the student community.
The refund follows a directive issued by the Vice-Chancellor during the inauguration of the newly elected Students’ Union Government, where she announced that students who had paid their fees before the release of their NELFUND loans would be reimbursed to ensure they fully benefited from the Federal Government’s intervention programme.
The initiative is expected to provide financial relief to affected students while reinforcing the university’s commitment to transparency and student welfare.
