The University of Ilesa (UNILESA), Osun State, has denied allegations that it failed to refund tuition fees to students whose fees were later paid through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), insisting that it has been processing refunds in line with the scheme’s operational guidelines.

The institution described media reports naming it among tertiary institutions allegedly withholding students’ refunds as “false, misleading and inconsistent with the facts,” stressing that it has never refused to refund any eligible beneficiary.

In a statement signed by the Senior Assistant Registrar, Corporate Services and Information Unit, Babatunde Fanawopo, the university maintained that it remained committed to transparency, accountability and due process in implementing the Federal Government’s student loan scheme.

According to the statement, 3,993 UNILESA students benefited from the 2026 NELFUND disbursement, comprising 1,254 students in the first batch and 2,739 in the second batch. It added that 2,734 beneficiaries successfully accessed their loans through wallet funding, describing the figure as evidence of the institution’s effective implementation of the programme.

The university disclosed that refunds have been made to 396 students who had earlier paid their tuition fees before the NELFUND disbursement. It explained that 168 students in the first batch and 106 in the second batch had already received refunds, while another 122 students had their refunds processed. It added that 133 additional refund requests are currently undergoing processing.

“At no time has the University failed or refused to refund eligible students whose tuition fees were subsequently paid through the NELFUND scheme. On the contrary, the University has consistently and diligently processed refunds for qualified beneficiaries in strict accordance with extant financial regulations and the operational guidelines of the NELFUND programme,” the statement said.

It added: “The University of Ilesa will not engage in any act capable of undermining, frustrating or discrediting the successful implementation of the NELFUND initiative. Every genuine refund request is receiving priority attention, while outstanding cases are being processed after the completion of verification procedures, confirmation of bank account details and other administrative requirements to ensure transparency, accuracy and accountability.”

The statement attributed the delay in outstanding refunds to ongoing verification procedures, confirmation of bank account details and other administrative requirements aimed at ensuring accuracy, transparency and accountability. It also noted that some beneficiaries were yet to complete the required documentation or take decisions on their loan offers.

The management urged students seeking clarification or assistance to visit the NELFUND Desk Office at the university’s Bursary Department for verification and resolution of outstanding issues, reiterating its commitment to ensuring that every genuine refund request is processed promptly.