Varsity students accuse management of manipulating portals to divert NELFUND refunds

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Tension is rising at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), as several students have accused the school management of deliberately manipulating their online portals to divert and embezzle their NELFUND loan refunds.

Investigations revealed that although the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had disbursed approved funds to the university on behalf of successful applicants, many students were shocked to discover that their refunds had allegedly been siphoned through what they described as a fraudulent portal adjustment scheme.

A final-year student expressed his frustration: “We applied for NELFUND, and the board already paid the money to the school. But after the school received the money, they manipulated our portals. For example, in the Faculty of Law, we were supposed to spend five years (100–500 level) and pay school fees for five sessions. Shockingly, the school created another ‘200 level’ for us, making it six levels in total. That is a deliberate manipulation to swallow our refund. They now claim the refund will go into settling the new ‘debt’ they created.”

The student continued, adding: “This is the third week. I wrote to the management about it, but nothing has been done. I’m already in my final year, and if I leave without resolution, they may sweep it under the carpet.”

Another student, equally disheartened, recounted his experience: “We applied for the refund after successful approval, but the university inserted an additional ‘UG2’ into our portals. They then cleared our supposed ‘debt’ with the refund, even though we never owed them anything. We reported to MIS (Management Information System) and were asked to write complaints, but for three weeks now, nothing has been done. They must address this with urgency.

Refund amounts reportedly range between ₦70,000 and ₦100,000, depending on faculty and programme. One Law student confirmed that his refund of ₦94,560 had already been wiped off his portal under the controversial adjustment.

When contacted, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Umar Aliyu, admitted that complaints had been lodged and assured that the matter was being handled.

“The Director of MIS demanded that students with such complaints should go to him directly for clarification. He assured me that no student would be denied what is due to them. In case of any difficulty, such students should meet the Dean of Student Affairs,” he said.

Prof. Aliyu, however, downplayed the allegations, insisting, “These are mere speculations. Let them do as instructed. I’m currently with the Director, MIS.”

Despite this assurance, affected students remain sceptical, alleging that the university’s silence and prolonged delay are part of a deliberate cover-up aimed at denying them their legitimate entitlements

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