University of Benin (UNIBEN) is set to bar no fewer than 5,000 students from participating in the upcoming second-semester examinations due to outstanding school fees. This follows the strict enforcement of the university’s “no school fees, no exam” policy.
According to a memo released by the Registrar, Mr Ademola Bobola, the institution had repeatedly urged defaulters to pay their fees but to no avail. He confirmed that despite numerous reminders and opportunities to subscribe to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), many students had failed to comply.
“The university management has received a list of students who have not paid their school fees, despite our repeated appeals,” Bobola stated. “These students have also failed to take advantage of the NELFUND students’ loan scheme, leaving us with no option but to enforce this policy.”
As the second-semester exams approach, beginning Monday, September 29, the university insists that students who have not settled their charges or applied for financial support through the loan system will be unable to sit for the exams.
In response to this, Bobola mentioned that the Senate had directed academic departments to publish the names of the defaulters by 8 a.m. on Monday. This will give students a final chance to clear their debts before the exams begin.
A task force, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), has been established to ensure strict adherence to the policy.
“We expect full cooperation from all stakeholders to uphold the university’s high standards,” Bobola emphasized.
This move echoes a similar action by the Rivers State University earlier this year, which also adopted the “no fees, no exam” policy to tackle delinquent payments among students.
