About 5000 students of the University of Benin, Edo State, risk being barred from sitting the second semester examinations scheduled to commence Monday, September 29, over failure to pay school charges.

In a memo by the Registrar of the institution, Ademola Bobola, the university announced the strict enforcement of its “no payment of school charges, no examination” policy, insisting that repeated reminders to defaulters were ignored.

Mr Bobola said, “The university management  is in receipt of the list of students who have failed to pay their school charges despite repeated reminders. These students have also failed to subscribe to students’ loans provided by the Nigerian Education Students’ Loan Fund (NELFUND).”

The registrar said efforts to encourage the affected students to either pay their fees or access the NELFUND facility yielded no positive response.

“With the second semester examination set to begin on Monday, September 29, these students shall be barred from taking the examination,  if they fail to pay their school charges, or subscribe to the students’ loan by NELFUND,” he said.

The registrar disclosed that the Senate had directed provosts, deans, directors, and heads of departments to publish the list of all defaulters by 8 a.m. on Monday.

According to him, it is to enable affected students confirm their status and make last-minute payments before examinations commence.

According to him, an enforcement task force headed by the deputy vice chancellor (Academic) has also been set up to monitor and ensure strict compliance with the directive.

He stated, “Management expects full cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders to maintain the university’s high standards.”

(NAN)