UNIBEN bars 5,000 students from exams over unpaid fees

The management of the University of Benin, on Monday, said about 5,000 students of the institution will miss the second semester examination over failure to pay school fees.

A memo released by the Registrar of the institution, Ademola Bobola, said the affected students failed to pay their school fees despite repeated reminders.

He lamented that the students failed to subscribe to the opportunities provided by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

NELFUND, a pivotal financial institution established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act, 2024, was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on April 3, 2024.

The primary objective of NELFUND is to provide financial support to qualified Nigerians for tuition and other fees, charges, and upkeep during their studies in approved tertiary academic institutions and vocational and skills acquisition institutions within Nigeria.

According to the memo released by UNIBEN, defaulting students were barred from writing the second semester examination, which commenced on Monday, September 29, 2025, adding that the school management had put in place an enforcement team.

The memo read, “With the second semester examination set to begin on Monday, 29th September, 2025, these (defaulting) students shall be barred from writing the examination if they fail to pay their school charges or subscribe to the student loan by NELFUND.

About 5,000 students have been identified in this category of defaulters.

“In compliance with the directive of the Senate of the University of Benin, these students shall not be allowed to write the forthcoming examination.

“Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Deans, Directors, and Heads of Departments are specially required to enforce the directive of the Senate without compromise.”

The memo asked that the list of all defaulting students in their respective colleges, schools, faculties, institutes, and departments be published not later than 8.00 am on Monday.

“This is to enable the affected students to know their status as defaulters and afford them the opportunity to remedy their situation before the examination begins.

“Management has, accordingly, appointed an enforcement task force headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) to monitor and enforce full compliance with the directive of the Senate.

“Management expects full cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders to maintain the university’s high standards.”

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