JoSTUM resolves student protests, confirms NELFUND transparency

By Benedicta Aboh

The management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JoSTUM) has resolved the issues that triggered a student protest on March 23, 2026.

About 200 students had staged a demonstration at the university entrance over disagreements regarding disbursements from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

In a statement issued in Makurdi, the Registrar, Dr. John David, explained that the protest prompted an urgent review by the Committee of Deans and Directors on behalf of the Senate.

The decision was taken for all students to proceed on Easter Break from March 23 to April 7, 2026, and to vacate hostels before 6 pm.

Dr. David noted that a series of meetings were held with key stakeholders, including student leaders from the National Union of Benue State Students (NUBESS), Community of Tiv Students, the Students’ Union Executive Committee, and the Students’ Parliament.

These meetings, held between March 23 and March 27, included University management teams such as Principal Officers, the Dean of Students, Dean of the Postgraduate School, Director of ICT, and Acting Chief Security Officer, focusing on students’ concerns over NELFUND payments and the e-wallet platform for beneficiaries.

He affirmed that the management had carefully reviewed the issues and taken decisive steps to ensure transparency in NELFUND disbursement and proper functioning of the e-wallet system.

The resolutions from the March 27 meeting include: Confirmation of total NELFUND funds received and disbursed for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026, with ICT and Bursary departments reporting accurately.

All related issues to be resolved by April 2, 2026, allowing students to complete registration before the commencement of first-semester exams for 2025/2026.
Students whose e-wallets are not activated should contact ICT for guidance.

The Director of ICT will produce a video tutorial for students. Graduate names will be removed from beneficiary lists to ensure undergraduates receive full benefits.

Only refunded funds will appear on student portals, while any excess will be returned to NELFUND per policy.

Student leaders are to communicate resolutions to their peers and ensure students resume for exams as scheduled.
Leaders also pledged to refrain from using social media or unauthorized platforms to air grievances.

Full student resumption for the first semester of 2025/2026 is scheduled for April 7, 2026, with a strong commitment to campus peace and security.

Dr. David concluded that these measures aim to strengthen transparency, restore trust, and ensure smooth academic activities at JoSTUM.