Professor Olasebikan Fakulojo, Vice Chancellor of Joseph Ayodele Babalola University (JABU) in Osun State, has condemned the federal government for excluding private university students from the student loan scheme. Speaking at a press briefing ahead of JABU’s 15th convocation, Fakulojo described the exclusion as unjust and inconsistent with the Nigerian University Student Loan Scheme Act.
He argued that private universities, despite contributing to government revenue through taxes, are being sidelined in a policy meant to provide financial aid to all Nigerian tertiary students. Fakulojo proposed setting a loan cap, such as₦500,000 to₦1,000,000 per student, to account for the different tuition structures between private and public institutions while ensuring fairness.
The convocation ceremony will see 626 graduates receive their degrees, including 50 first-class honours and 114 postgraduate wards.
Among notable honourees, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, will receive an honorary doctorate.
Fakulojo highlighted JABU’s contributions to education and called for inclusivity in policies affecting Nigerian students, regardless of their institution’s ownership.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
