Settle fees, not bets, Rivers Varsity VC advises students

Zeb-Obipi claims some students go to betting sites to double their school fees.

Nigeria.- The Rivers State University (RSU) Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has cautioned students against using school fees for gambling.

Represented by Prof Victor Akujuru, the deputy vice-chancellor (Administration), Zeb-Obipi gave the warning during a pre-semester examination roadshow at the university’s main campus in Port Harcourt. He urged students to settle their school fees on time, especially as the university has begun a “no school fees, no exam” policy for the upcoming first-semester examinations.

Zeb-Obipi said: “Your primary obligation as a student is to pay your fees and go for your classes. Some of you are given fees; you divert them to something else. You embark on investments, some of you go to BetNaija hoping to double the money and then the money doesn’t come, so you don’t pay, you don’t register.

“Having spent our time and resources today to sensitise all of us that there’s a need to pay and register, lecturers are on notice. Anybody who is not on the attendance sheet will not be able to write their exam.”

The vice-chancellor also reminded students to complete their course registrations before the exams start on April 22, 2025. He said: “We want to plead with you, please do yourself the favour. You have spent time here, don’t let one semester’s fees embarrass you. Don’t let your parents become embarrassed.

“Pay your fees, and when you have paid, ensure that you register because that registration is crucial to ensure your name enters the attendance list; when you have done that, you will be able to write exams without any hindrance.”

He further advised students facing financial difficulties to take advantage of the federal government’s NELFUND student loan, which offers interest-free financial support for higher education.

Zeb-Obipi said: “When you apply, and you are verified, this question of non-payment of fees, my parents do not have will no longer be there because you will obtain that loan free of interest, and you will go through your studies until you graduate and work for two years, you don’t start paying back.

“So that is an opportunity, rather than saying I’m applying for a deferment because my sponsors don’t have money, apply for NELFUND and enjoy that Federal Government assistance.”