A looming crisis threatens the academic future of dozens of students from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Edo State, as they face the possibility of being barred from sitting for their semester examinations at Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State. The impasse stems from an outstanding tuition fee debt amounting to ₦116.3 million, a burden that has left both the university and the IDP camp management grappling for solutions.
The issue came to light in a letter dated February 5, 2025, addressed to the management of the IDP camp by the university’s Registrar, E.O. Ofotokun. Titled *Re: Overdue Payment of School Fees for IDP-Sponsored Students*, the correspondence underscores the gravity of the financial strain on the institution and its inability to continue bearing the unpaid fees. According to the letter, only ₦7.5 million has been paid since March 2024, leaving a staggering balance that now jeopardizes the academic progress of over 60 students sponsored by the IDP camp.
The university expressed frustration over the lack of substantial payments despite multiple discussions aimed at resolving the issue. “We write to follow up on our previous correspondence regarding the outstanding debt incurred by your organisation for sponsored students at Western Delta University, Oghara,” the letter stated. It further noted that while assurances of regular payments were given during earlier meetings, the actual inflow of funds has been negligible.
Highlighting the operational challenges posed by the unpaid fees, the university emphasized its reliance on timely tuition payments to sustain its activities. As a result, management announced a drastic measure: barring all IDP-sponsored students from participating in the upcoming first-semester examinations unless the debt is settled. The letter urged the camp’s management to submit a comprehensive payment plan to address the indebtedness promptly.
For Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, the overseer of the International Christian Centre for Missions and Christian Home for the Needy, which operates the IDP camp, the situation is nothing short of an emergency. In a heartfelt appeal to the public, government agencies, and other stakeholders, Folorunsho described the predicament as dire, particularly because many of the affected students are in their final years of study.
“We have over 60 students in this university alone, some in 400 and 500 levels,” he explained. “These are young people who have worked hard to get to where they are today, and now their dreams hang in the balance due to circumstances beyond their control. We need a miracle. Kindly help in any way, either by reaching out to the school, relevant agencies, government, and others.”
Folorunsho’s plea underscores the vulnerability of displaced individuals, especially children and youth, whose lives have already been disrupted by conflict or hardship. For these students, education represents not just a pathway to personal success but also a means of rebuilding their lives and contributing meaningfully to society. The prospect of missing exams—and potentially losing an entire academic year—poses a significant setback to their aspirations.
The plight of these students reflects broader systemic challenges faced by internally displaced persons in Nigeria. While humanitarian efforts often focus on immediate needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, long-term educational support remains underfunded and overlooked. The current standoff between the IDP camp and Western Delta University highlights the precariousness of relying solely on goodwill and limited resources to fund tertiary education for displaced youth.
Compounding the problem is the absence of robust intervention mechanisms from government bodies tasked with addressing the needs of IDPs. Despite Nigeria’s National Policy on IDPs, which outlines strategies for protecting and supporting displaced populations, implementation gaps persist. Critics argue that more proactive measures are needed to ensure that vulnerable groups, including students, receive adequate assistance to pursue education without interruption.
Pastor Folorunsho’s call for collaboration among stakeholders resonates deeply in this context. He envisions a collective effort involving philanthropists, corporate organizations, government agencies, and even international partners to alleviate the financial burden on the IDP camp. Such interventions could take various forms, from direct monetary contributions to negotiating flexible payment plans with the university or securing scholarships for the affected students.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the situation raises critical questions about sustainable funding models for educating displaced youth. Advocacy groups suggest exploring partnerships with private sector entities willing to invest in social responsibility initiatives targeting IDPs. Additionally, leveraging technology to create virtual learning platforms could offer alternative pathways for students unable to access traditional institutions due to financial constraints.
As the deadline for settling the debt looms, time is running out for the IDP camp and its students. Without urgent action, the consequences could be devastating—not only for the individuals directly impacted but also for the broader goal of empowering displaced communities through education.
Pastor Folorunsho remains hopeful, however, believing that compassion and collective action can turn the tide. “I know that soon, we will all celebrate when these children have taken their places in society,” he said. His optimism serves as a rallying cry for those moved to act, reminding everyone of the transformative power of education and the shared responsibility to uplift the most vulnerable among us.
In the end, the story of these students is not just about unpaid fees or bureaucratic hurdles; it is about resilience, hope, and the enduring belief that no dream should be extinguished simply because of circumstances. Whether through grassroots mobilization, policy reform, or private sector engagement, finding a solution to this crisis is imperative—not only for the sake of the students involved but also as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity for all.
