UniAbuja dismisses NELFUND diversion claims against VC
The University of Abuja has dismissed allegations published by an online news medium accusing its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Hakeem Fawehinmi, and other senior officials of diverting multibillion-naira Nigerian Education Loan Fund grants meant for indigent students.
The online platform, in an exclusive report published on Tuesday, alleged that Fawehinmi, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Simon Kawe, and other officials diverted NELFUND loans, including claims that the funds were placed in interest-yielding accounts and that hundreds of students were shortchanged.
The report claimed that NELFUND disbursed N256,142,500 to the university on January 29, 2026, as institutional fee loans for 2,245 students approved for the 2025/2026 academic session.
It also cited a February 7, 2026, internal memo advising beneficiaries who had yet to pay their fees to do so and apply for reimbursement.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Habib Yakoob, the university described the allegations as unfounded.
“The university categorically states that these claims are false, misleading, and mischievous, as the report lacks any evidence to identify how or where the funds were supposedly diverted,” the statement said.
The institution confirmed receipt of N256,142,500 from NELFUND on January 29, 2026, for 2,245 beneficiaries, but said disbursement was strictly application-based
“It is important to note that disbursement of the NELFUND loan is processed only upon student application,” the statement added.
The management explained that before the funds were received, some students had paid their fees out of concern that they might forfeit the academic session.
“Before the receipt of the NELFUND loan of N256,142,500 on January 29, 2026, for 2,245 beneficiaries in the university, some students had already paid their fees out of concern that they might lose the academic session.
“These students were subsequently advised to submit applications for reimbursement, and their cases are currently being processed,” it stated.
Addressing the allegation of mismanagement, the university maintained that no funds had been diverted or misused.
“Contrary to the claims made by the online medium, no funds have been diverted, hoarded, misused, or used to generate interest, and no student has been shortchanged.
“All unclaimed funds arising from students who have not requested disbursement are securely held in designated accounts and will be promptly released once the appropriate applications are submitted and duly processed,” the statement said.
The university also defended the conduct of the vice-chancellor, who assumed office in December 2025.
“Since assuming office in December 2025, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Hakeem Fawehinmi, has served with integrity, employing a student- and staff-centred approach that ensures the interests of students are protected at all times,” the statement said.
It added, “He has handled all NELFUND disbursements with full transparency, in strict accordance with NELFUND regulations, reflecting his personal integrity and dedication to the university.”
The institution urged stakeholders and members of the public to disregard the report, describing it as misleading and intended to cause unnecessary alarm and damage the reputation of its leadership and management.
