Lagos State University (LASU) refunds fees to students

Lagos State University (LASU) on Thursday refunded a total of N209 million in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Babatunde Fashola to refund part of students’ fees.

The first tranche of the money which was paid into the institution’s account on February 20, was given to 100 and 200 level direct entry students for 2013/2014 academic session.

Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony, Fashola who was represented by his Special Assistant on Education, Chief Fatai Olukoga, said the management of the university had reported a shortfall in the computed excess money to be refunded particularly to those in the 200 and 400 level direct entry.

According to him, “the reconciliation of figures not captured earlier is progressing and I want to assure the affected students that the funds will be released immediately the reconciliation exercise is over.”

He said the government was committed to ensuring the continued infrastructural growth and development of the institution regardless of the abysmal low fees.

“We are not unaware of comments from some critical stakeholders that we have made a mockery of university education in the country through the low school fees. We are also not unaware of the moves by the same stakeholders to frustrate our efforts at ensuring the quality of LASU programmes. Notwithstanding the frustration, we are relentlessly committed to making LASU a world class university of our time,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, said the process of the refund had to go through various ministries before it could be approved, adding that the second tranche of the payment would be made in the next two weeks.

“We have assured the students that the money is going to be refunded and we have also asked them to provide their account numbers and other necessary details while we are still pursuing the process. Some students have already received alerts since Monday for the first tranche. Once we receive the second tranche, everybody will be refunded,” Obafunwa stressed.

Credit: Funmi Ogundare/ThisDay