About 5,000 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, may be barred from sitting for the second semester examinations scheduled to begin on Monday, September 29, following their failure to pay school charges.

In a memo signed by the Registrar, Ademola Bobola, the university reiterated its “no payment, no examination” policy, stressing that repeated reminders had been ignored by defaulters. He explained that the students also failed to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Students’ Loan Fund (NELFUND), which was introduced to ease payment difficulties.

Mr. Bobola disclosed that the Senate had directed provosts, deans, directors, and heads of departments to publish the list of defaulters by 8 a.m. on Monday to enable affected students confirm their status and make last-minute payments before the exams commence. He added that an enforcement task force, headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), has been constituted to ensure full compliance.

“Management expects full cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders to maintain the university’s high standards,” the registrar stated, warning that any student who fails to settle their fees or subscribe to the NELFUND facility will not be allowed into the examination halls.