Olabisi Onabanjo University praises NELFUND for aiding 6,883 students, reducing financial leave requests and boosting access to tertiary education
The Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has commended President Bola Tinubu for introducing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying it has helped more than 4,000 students remain in school despite financial challenges.
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Prof. Agboola noted that before NELFUND, between 3,000 and 4,000 students annually applied for leave of absence due to inability to pay tuition fees.
Since the loan scheme began, such applications have virtually ceased, reflecting its impact on improving access to education.
“For the 2025/2026 academic session, NELFUND has made payments for 5,000 students. Another 1,270 are awaiting payment, bringing the total beneficiaries to about 6,883,” Agboola said.
The Vice-Chancellor made the disclosure while briefing journalists at the university’s Senate Building ahead of OOU’s 35th convocation ceremony scheduled for next week.
He also announced that a total of 5,808 students would graduate, including 147 First Class honorees.
Ajayi David Bamidele, a Civil Engineering graduate with a CGPA of 4.89, emerged as the overall best graduating student.
Agboola described NELFUND as a “very laudable initiative” that allows students to focus on studies without tuition stress and praised the Federal Government for sustaining the programme.
On the convocation, the university will continue its practice of issuing certificates and transcripts on the day of the ceremony.
An honorary Doctor of Science degree will also be conferred on Mr Ayo Ojuroye, founder of Optimus Bank and Chairman of Mango Asset Management, for his contributions to national development.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted OOU’s academic expansion, including eight new programmes such as Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Film and Multimedia Studies, Journalism, and Marketing.
He also pointed out collaborations with individuals and corporate partners to strengthen infrastructure, research, and innovation.
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Convocation activities include a health walk, cultural parade, agriculture and engineering exhibitions, novelty matches, and the convocation lecture on “Repositioning Nigerian Universities as Innovation Hubs for Entrepreneurship and National Development” by Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
