Kano govt links Northwest University fee hike to NELFUND

The Kano State Government has addressed growing concerns over the recent increase in registration fees at Northwest University, Kano, from ₦17,000 to ₦57,000.

The government clarified that the hike is tied to the institution’s adoption of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) initiative.

Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Higher Education, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, explained the decision during a meeting with the National Association of Kano State Students (NAKSS) on Thursday.

The delegation had paid a condolence visit following the tragic death of 22 athletes returning from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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Gwarzo emphasized that students are not being asked to pay the new fees out of pocket.

Instead, they must show proof of enrollment in the NELFUND scheme, which disburses funds directly to the university.

“The university is not demanding payment from students.

“What is required is proof of enrollment in the NELFUND program, which will channel funds directly to the school,” he stated.

The Deputy Governor noted that other institutions have significantly benefited from the initiative due to high student participation.

For instance, Bayero University, Kano, received over ₦900 million, while Northwest University received only ₦4 million.

Some universities in other parts of the country received over ₦1 billion.

“This disparity prompted us to revise the fee structure to motivate students to enroll in NELFUND.

“This way, the university will receive more funding, and students will benefit from monthly stipends,” he said.

Addressing fears about taking loans, Gwarzo assured students that repayment would only begin after securing a well-paying job and serving for two years.

“As a responsible government, we must ensure that our students are supported to access this opportunity.

“Ignoring it would mean neglecting our duty to their future,” he added.

Gwarzo further highlighted that the funds would enable Northwest University to increase admissions, introduce more academic programs, and improve infrastructure.

He urged students facing enrollment challenges to seek help from the university’s designated desk officers and encouraged NAKSS to sensitize their peers about the benefits of NELFUND, assist them with registration, and maintain active engagement with the state government for additional support.