The management of Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, has barred students from the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Edo State from sitting for their semester examinations due to outstanding tuition fees amounting to N116.3 million.
According to a letter from the university’s Registrar, E.O. Ofotokun, dated February 5, 2025, and obtained by Hobnob News on Thursday, the university stated that only N7.5 million had been paid since March last year, leaving a significant debt that was affecting its operations.
The letter emphasized that the institution relies on timely tuition payments and has been left with no choice but to take drastic measures to recover the outstanding sum.
University’s Statement on the Indebtedness
“We write to follow up on our previous correspondence regarding the outstanding debt incurred by your organization for sponsored students at Western Delta University, Oghara.
“As you may recall, your team visited our institution twice to discuss payment modalities, and we were assured of regular payments to settle the indebtedness.
“Unfortunately, our records indicate that only N7,500,000 has been paid since March last year. The total outstanding amount for the 2024/2025 academic session now stands at N116,323,000.”
Given the situation, the university declared that all sponsored students would not be allowed to sit for their first-semester examinations until the debt is settled.
“We advise you to provide a comprehensive payment schedule to ensure the significant reduction of this indebtedness. We expect a prompt response regarding this matter,” the statement added.
Call for Assistance
In response, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, Overseer/Director of the International Christian Centre for Missions and Christian Home for the Needy, which manages the IDP camp, has appealed to well-meaning Nigerians for assistance.
In a statement, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, kindly go through this letter. It is one of the emergencies that have come upon our children from several schools.
“This is just one among many, and we have over 60 students in this school at the 400 and 500 levels. We need a miracle. Kindly help in any way – by reaching out to the school, relevant agencies, government, and others.”
The situation has raised concerns over access to education for displaced students, with calls for urgent intervention from government bodies and private donors to prevent academic disruptions for the affected students.
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