Federal Ministry of Information official, Dr Helen Nsirim, has cautioned parents against making double payments of tuition fees for their undergraduate children.
Nsirim, who serves as the Information and Public Relations Officer at the Federal Information Centre, Port Harcourt, made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday.
She explained that some students who accessed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, known as NELFUND, deliberately concealed the information from their parents to collect tuition fees from them. According to her, investigations have shown this practice has left some families facing unnecessary financial strain.
“This is a wrong approach, especially in these difficult times when many parents are struggling financially. The Federal Government established the loan scheme to ease the burden of tuition on both parents and students,” she said.
Nsirim advised parents to verify the list of NELFUND beneficiaries before making tuition payments to avoid being extorted by their wards. She also urged the loan body to enhance transparency by publishing the list of beneficiaries every year through universities, national newspapers, and its official social media platforms.
She explained that such measures would empower parents to confirm their children’s loan status and reduce the risk of double payment. Nsirim added that the student loan body also had the responsibility of proper sensitisation.
According to her, while the National Orientation Agency has been active in sensitising the public, parents must also take the initiative to remain informed. She further encouraged families to explore student loan programmes as a way to manage rising education costs.
“Instead of spending time on social media following trends and gossip, parents should check what NELFUND is doing and encourage their children to apply if eligible,” Nsirim said.