PAAU Defends Fee Review, Says 4,032 Students Benefit from NELFUND
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja The management of Prince Abubakar Audu University has defended the review of school fees in the institution, insisting the adjustment was part of a unified fee
Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) has defended its fee review, insisting the adjustment adheres to a harmonized fee structure approved by the Kogi State Government. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman stated the move was not arbitrary but followed a government directive issued in 2024. PAAU's Vice-Chancellor assured the charges at the institution were lower than some neighbouring states.
The controversy surrounding the fee structure largely centered on medical programmes, with Usman praising the reintroduction of MBBS, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science and other health-related programmes by the previous Vice-Chancellor and former Governor Yahaya Bello. He also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for sustaining medical education in the state's universities.
Regarding the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Usman disclosed that 4,032 PAAU students had secured approval for loans totaling N536,662,680. He urged students to utilize the scheme, which provides a monthly upkeep allowance of N20,000 and a two-year repayment period post-graduation contingent on securing gainful employment.
The Kogi State House of Assembly conducted an investigative hearing following a petition alleging arbitrary fee increases. The Chairman of the House Committee on Education questioned the absence of the petitioner at the hearing and expressed concerns over the state's healthcare professionals' shortage.
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