Students from the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Edo State, studying at Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, are at risk of missing their semester examinations due to outstanding tuition fees amounting to ₦116.3 million.
In a letter dated February 5, 2025, and signed by the university’s Registrar, E.O. Ofotokun, the institution informed the camp’s management that the debt had become a major burden and that students under its sponsorship would not be allowed to sit for their exams unless payments were made.
The letter, obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday, was titled Re: Overdue Payment of School Fees for IDP-Sponsored Students.
It stated that despite multiple discussions on payment arrangements, only ₦7.5 million had been paid since March 2024.
The letter read in part: “We write to follow up on our previous correspondence regarding the outstanding debt incurred by your organisation 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 ₦7,500,000 has been paid since March last year. The total outstanding amount for the 2024/2025 academic session now stands at ₦116,323,000.
“This significant debt poses a substantial challenge to the university’s operations, as we rely heavily on timely tuition payments. In light of the above, management has decided to take drastic action to recover the debt.
“Consequently, all your sponsored students will not be permitted to sit for the upcoming first-semester examinations until this debt is settled.
“We advise you to provide a comprehensive payment schedule to ensure a significant reduction of this indebtedness. We expect a prompt response regarding this matter.”
Reacting to the development, the overseer of the International Christian Centre for Missions and Christian Home for the Needy, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, who runs the IDP camp, called on well-meaning Nigerians, government agencies, and other stakeholders to intervene.
In a statement, Folorunsho described the situation as an emergency, noting that many of the affected students were in their final years.
He stated: “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, kindly go through this letter. This is one of the emergencies affecting our children in several schools. We have over 60 students in this university alone, some in 400 and 500 levels.
“We need a miracle. Kindly help in any way, either by reaching out to the school, relevant agencies, government, and others.
“I know that soon, we will all celebrate when these children have taken their places in society. God bless you.”
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