The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has announced that over 5,000 students may be barred from participating in the second-semester examinations scheduled to begin today, due to non-payment of school charges. This enforcement follows the institution’s long-standing “no payment, no examination” policy.
In a memo signed by the Registrar, Mr. Ademola Bobola, the university disclosed that repeated reminders to the affected students had gone unheeded. The memo also noted that the students failed to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a federal initiative designed to ease financial burdens for tertiary students.
"The university management is in receipt of the list of students who have failed to pay their school charges despite repeated reminders," Bobola stated. "These students have also failed to subscribe to the students’ loans being provided by NELFUND."
To ensure transparency and provide a final opportunity for students to regularize their status, the Senate has directed all departments to publish the list of defaulters by 8:00 a.m. today. An enforcement task force, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), has been established to monitor compliance.
Students who have registered for the NELFUND loan and can provide verifiable evidence will be permitted to sit for the exams. The university’s NELFUND Office remains open to assist students with last-minute enrollment.
UNIBEN reiterated its commitment to maintaining academic standards and urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the directive.