JABU Vice Chancellor Criticizes Exclusion of Private University Students from Student Loan Scheme
Professor Olasebikan Fakulojo, Vice Chancellor of Joseph Ayodele Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, has expressed strong disapproval of the federal government’s decision to exclude private university students from the National Student Loan Scheme. He described this exclusion as an act of “injustice.”
In a media briefing ahead of JABU’s 15th convocation ceremony, Prof. Fakulojo questioned the rationale behind denying students in private universities access to loans meant to support Nigerian students in higher education. He argued that all students, regardless of whether they attend public or private institutions, should have equal opportunities to benefit from the scheme.
The Vice Chancellor pointed out that the Nigerian University Student Loan Scheme Act does not specifically exclude private university students, making the current exclusion inequitable.
He emphasized that private universities contribute to the nation’s economy through taxes, unlike public universities, and that their students should not face discrimination in receiving government support.
To promote fairness, Fakulojo suggested implementing a loan cap, such as N500,000 or N1 million per student, to accommodate the differences in tuition fees across institutions.
JABU’s 15th Convocation
In his remarks, Prof. Fakulojo highlighted the achievements of JABU, where 626 graduates will receive degrees, including 50 first-class honours and 114 postgraduate awards, comprising PGD, MSc, MA, and PhD degrees. Notably, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, will receive an honorary doctorate degree during the event.
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