JoSTUM shuts for Easter break after students’ protest over NELFUND disbursement

2026-03-23 - 16:03

By Peter Duru, Makurdi Makurdi – The management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM), has ordered the closure of the institution for the Easter break following a protest by students over the alleged non-disbursement of funds under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme. The university directed all students to vacate their hostels by 6 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026. The decision came after some students earlier blocked the main entrance of the institution, protesting delays in accessing the loan and disrupting vehicular movement on campus. However, the Registrar, Dr. John David, dismissed the claims, stating that nearly all eligible students had received their funds, except about 76 who had not fulfilled the required conditions for the loan. In a letter announcing the closure, the Registrar said the decision followed an emergency meeting of the Committee of Deans and Directors. “The Committee of Deans and Directors (CDD), at its emergency meeting held on Monday, March 23, 2026, approved on behalf of Senate the Easter break for all students of the University from March 23 to April 7, 2026,” the statement read. “Consequently, the University Administration has directed all students to vacate their hostels no later than 6 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026.”