Kogi varsity defends fee hike, cites 4,032 NELFUND beneficiaries

Prince Abubakar Audu University Vice-Chancellor Salisu Usman defended the fee increase at a Kogi State Assembly hearing in Lokoja. He said the charges implement a 2024 directive to harmonise fees at state-owned institutions and that 4,032 students had been approved for NELFUND loans totalling 536.7 million naira, with 600 applications pending. The scheme also offers a monthly upkeep allowance of 20,000 naira, repayable two years after graduation once recipients secure gainful employment. Education Commissioner Wemi Jones defended the review process and said Kogi State Polytechnic had not raised fees but had reduced accommodation charges by 5,000 naira.