NANS Threatens to Shut Down D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic Over Alleged NELFUND Fraud, Demands EFCC Probe

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to shut down D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic, Itori, Ogun State, over alleged irregularities in the administration of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

In a video statement released on Tuesday, NANS President Akinteye Babatunde accused the institution’s management, led by Rector Dr. Rauf Adegoke, of allegedly inflating tuition figures submitted to NELFUND, resulting in students receiving loans far above their actual school fees.

Babatunde alleged that while Higher National Diploma (HND I) students in the institution pay ₦236,000 in tuition, the institution allegedly uploaded ₦350,000 on the NELFUND portal. He further claimed that National Diploma (ND II) students who pay about ₦152,000 had ₦330,000 uploaded on the loan platform.

According to him, the alleged discrepancies have resulted in excess loan disbursements, with some students reportedly receiving up to ₦355,000 despite having school fees significantly lower than that amount.

“The management is allegedly spending money that does not belong to them while students will ultimately bear the burden of repaying these loans after graduation,” Babatunde said in the video.

The NANS president called on President Bola Tinubu, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other anti-corruption agencies to immediately investigate the institution and other schools allegedly engaging in similar practices.

Babatunde also alleged that several tertiary institutions across the country have refused to refund students who paid their fees before NELFUND disbursements were made, despite subsequently receiving loan payments on behalf of such students.

He warned that NANS would soon publish the names of institutions allegedly involved in such practices and submit formal petitions to relevant authorities.

“We will release the names of all affected institutions. Students must not be used as tools for fraud,” he stated.

The student leader further issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic to provide clarifications and address the allegations or risk nationwide protests.

“If there is no clarification and the money is not refunded, I will lead my team to the institution and shut it down,” Babatunde declared.

He also urged the Ogun State Government to investigate the allegations and, if necessary, suspend the institution’s leadership pending the outcome of investigations.

While commending President Tinubu for introducing the student loan scheme, Babatunde warned that alleged abuses by some tertiary institution administrators could undermine the programme.

According to him, over one million Nigerian students have benefited from the NELFUND initiative, describing it as a major intervention aimed at easing access to higher education for indigent students.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Dr. Rauf Adegoke nor the management of D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic had issued an official response to the allegations. NELFUND has also not publicly commented on the claims.

The allegations have sparked fresh debate over transparency, accountability, and oversight in the implementation of the Federal Government’s student loan programme.

No official investigation had been announced as of Wednesday.

Editor’s Note: The allegations contained in this report were made by the NANS President and have not been independently verified. The management of D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic has yet to respond to the claims.