Students of the University of Calabar (UniCal) have urged the institution’s management to extend the deadline for course registration and tuition fee payment.
The appeal comes as many students, who applied for loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), have yet to receive disbursements.
Johnson David, a 200-level student, expressed these concerns in a statement issued in Calabar, emphasising the financial constraints faced by students.
“Several students have applied for the NELFUND loan. While some applications have been verified, disbursements remain pending for many. Additionally, others have applied for the Clement Joshua School Fees Empowerment and other scholarship programmes, which are also yet to be processed,” he said.
David acknowledged the efforts of the Students’ Union Government and the university management in addressing students’ concerns, expressing optimism about their support. “With their understanding, we hope to overcome this challenge and focus fully on our studies,” he added.
In response to the appeal, the university management confirmed the receipt of over ₦182 million in loan disbursements on 3 December 2024. The funds, intended for 1,926 students, were acknowledged in a statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Florence Obi.
The management, however, requested a detailed breakdown of beneficiaries and the amounts credited to each student to enable proper reconciliation of records.
This development highlights the financial challenges faced by many students and the critical need for timely intervention to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
(NAN)
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