FG forms panel to harmonise university fee payment

The Federal Government has constituted a high-level panel to harmonise fee payment systems in tertiary institutions across the country, with the goal of improving coordination between universities and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja following a closed-door meeting with Vice-Chancellors and NELFUND executives.

Alausa told reporters that although universities had been receiving funds as expected, there was still a need to refine disbursement timelines and enhance the process for notifying students.

He addressed concerns raised about alleged irregularities in NELFUND, noting that: “The current processes are working, but we are working to better the system we have now. The aim is to serve both NELFUND and our citizens more efficiently, and align with the broader agenda of the current administration.”

One of the key outcomes of the meeting, according to the minister, is the establishment of a committee that includes officials from NELFUND, the Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and representatives from various universities.

Alausa explained that the committee’s primary responsibility will be to unify the terminology used for student fees and charges, although actual amounts may vary among institutions. “The committee will determine and publish standard timelines for when NELFUND will disburse funds and when universities must notify students,” he said.

When asked about mismatches between fees charged by institutions and the sums disbursed by NELFUND, Alausa attributed the issue to inconsistent service charges. He noted that the committee would develop a standardised structure for fee components to ensure clarity.

“Universities will disclose service charges upfront to avoid misunderstandings in refunded amounts,” he noted.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to student-centered educational reforms, Alausa said the initiative reflects a broader strategy to ensure transparent and equitable access to education funding.

PlatinumPost reports that the committee has a three-week deadline to submit its recommendations. Once received, the final guidelines will be released to the public.