Chop Chop Campuses: 51 Nigerian Universities Allegedly Caught Exploiting Students in NELFUND Loan Scam

In a shocking revelation shaking the foundations of Nigeria’s higher education system, 51 universities have been allegedly exposed for engaging in illegal deductions and systematic exploitation of students benefiting from the NELFUND loan scheme. These institutions, once thought to be centers of knowledge and integrity, have instead become hotbeds of extortion, siphoning between N3,500 and N30,000 off each unsuspecting student.

Reports reveal that despite officially approved institutional fees, some universities inflated charges to milk students dry. In one glaring case, a university approved a fee of N120,000 but shockingly presented N148,000 to students — with NELFUND only covering the approved N120,000, leaving students scrambling to pay the extra N28,000. Was this extra cash a case of “chop chop money” or rebranded as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)? Either way, it’s daylight robbery cloaked in academic gowns.

Further exacerbating the crisis, students who paid fees before NELFUND’s disbursement are still awaiting refunds, as universities drag their feet and evade accountability.

Amid the chaos, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) under the leadership of Lanre Issa-Onilu has taken a bold stance, confronting these corrupt practices head-on. Stakeholders are now calling on NOA to partner with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale crackdown on institutional fraud.

“Some universities have even introduced dubious internet levies, forcing students to pay out-of-pocket, despite receiving loans meant to cover full academic expenses.

If Nigeria is to be truly reformed, the rot in the ivory towers must be excised. The era of cheating students and fleecing the nation must end. A new Nigeria is possible — but only if exploitative universities are held accountable”.said an aggrieved source