MOUAU Students Celebrate as VC Akanwa Begins Refund of School Fees Paid Before NELFUND Disbursement

There was excitement and jubilation among students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), as the institution commenced the refund of school fees paid by students before the disbursement of funds under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The development followed a directive by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, that students who had paid their school fees before receiving their NELFUND loans should be refunded.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with MOUAU UPDATE confirmed that they had received their refunds and expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for keeping her promise to the students.

A graduate of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Onu Edith Amarachukwu, said she received her refund on July 28, 2026, describing the development as a welcome relief.

“I am very happy. I had planned to use the money for something important. I thank God and the Vice-Chancellor for making this possible,” she said.

Similarly, Ikechi Divine, a 500 Level student of Chemical Engineering, said he had almost lost hope of receiving the refund.

“I nearly lost hope that the refund would not come. May God bless our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, for fulfilling her promise in less than one week,” he said.

For Samuel Onyeka Ozondiniru, a 300 Level Civil Engineering student, the refund demonstrated the Vice-Chancellor’s commitment to the welfare of students.

“The Vice-Chancellor has truly shown that she is a mother. She kept her promise, and this has restored the confidence of many students. We are grateful for this kind gesture,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor had announced the refund initiative during the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Students’ Union Government (SUG) last week.

Prof. Akanwa disclosed that she had directed the University Bursar to immediately process refunds for students who had paid their school fees before the Federal Government disbursed their NELFUND loans.

According to her, the decision was aimed at ensuring that students who had already paid their fees did not lose the financial benefit provided under the education loan scheme.

The commencement of the refunds has therefore been welcomed by beneficiaries as a demonstration of the University’s responsiveness to students’ concerns and commitment to their welfare.

For many of the affected students, the refund is not only financial relief but also a fulfilment of the assurance given by the Vice-Chancellor that they would not be disadvantaged for paying their fees before the arrival of their NELFUND funds.