63 IDPs Barred From Exams At Niger Delta University
At least 63 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Home for the Needy Foundation camp in Edo may not be allowed to take their semester exams at Niger Delta University, Oghara, due to unpaid fees.
The university claims that the camp owes N116.3 million in sponsorship fees for the IDPs, with only N7.5 million paid since March 2024.
According to the university’s Acting Registrar, Mr Elvis Ofotokun, the outstanding debt poses a challenge to the university’s operations.
Ofotokun, in a letter titled “Re: Overdue Payment of School Fees for IDP Sponsored Students,” stated that the university has decided to bar the IDPs from taking their exams until the debt is settled.
“We write to follow up on our previous correspondence regarding the outstanding debt incurred by your organisation for sponsored students at Western Delta University, Oghara.
”As you recall, your team visited our institution twice to discuss payment modalities as we were assured of regular payment to settle indebtedness.
”Unfortunately, our records indicate that only N7.5 million has been paid since March 2024. The total outstanding amount for the 2024/2025 academic session now stands at N116,323,000.
”This significant debt poses a substantial challenge to the university operations. In light of the above, management has decided to take drastic action to recover the debt.
“Consequently, all your sponsored students will not be permitted to sit for the upcoming first semester examinations until this debt is settled,’’ the institution said.
The camp’s coordinator, Mr Solomon Folorunsho, in an interview with journalists, appealed to Nigerians and corporate organisations to help offset the bill.
He noted that about 60 of the IDPs are in their final year and that allowing them to drop out would be a waste of the years they’ve already spent in school.
”We cannot allow them to drop by the way now that they are almost at the goalpost; please help the camp to help.
”We cannot do it alone; please help us. This education funding challenge is one among many other challenges we are facing in the camp,” he said.
63 IDPs Barred From Exams At Niger Delta University is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
