The Management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has officially commenced the process of refunding institutional fees to students captured under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the 2025/2026 academic session.

This development follows the successful disbursement of multi-million naira tuition blocks from the federal loan pool directly to the university’s accounts. The refund is specifically targeted at students who had already settled their school fees out-of-pocket before their NELFUND loan applications were approved and processed.

According to the latest update from the University’s Bursary Department and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), the refund exercise is being conducted in systematic batches.

The university is currently cross-referencing NELFUND disbursement lists with the internal "Paid" student database to identify eligible beneficiaries. Once verified, the equivalent of the institutional fee covered by the loan will be credited back to the student’s registered bank account. Only students whose NELFUND portal status officially reads "Disbursed" and who possess a valid university receipt for their initial personal payment are eligible for this phase.

As the refund process gains momentum, the University Management and NELFUND have issued a joint Security Alert to the student community regarding a surge in fraudulent activities.

Students are strictly advised to adhere to the following safety protocols:

1.     No "Processing Fees": Neither ABU Zaria nor NELFUND will ever ask a student to pay a "processing fee" or "convenience charge" to fast-track a refund. Any such request is a scam.

2.     Protect Your Credentials: Do not share your JAMB Registration Number, NELFUND Portal Password, or Bank Verification Number (BVN) with individuals claiming to be "agents" or "staff" on social media platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram.

3.     Official Channels Only: All inquiries and complaints regarding delayed refunds should be directed solely to the Dean of Student Affairs or the University Bursary.

4.     OTP Safety: Never disclose an OTP (One-Time Password) sent to your phone. Fraudulent actors are currently posing as "NELFUND Support" to gain access to students' bank accounts under the guise of "verifying the refund."

The University remains committed to ensuring that every eligible student receives their due funds while maintaining the highest standards of financial security.