- The Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Professor Jonathan Babalola, believes that excluding private university students from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme is unfair.
- He argues that students of private tertiary institutions are Nigerians who should benefit from federal government schemes, regardless of the type of institution they attend.
- NELFUND is designed to support Nigerian undergraduate students in public institutions, but private university students are excluded from the program.
- The exclusion is based on the requirement of a JAMB registration number, which NOUN students do not possess.
- Professor Babalola emphasizes that not all private university students are wealthy and some attend private institutions to avoid delays caused by strikes in public universities.
The Controversy Surrounding NELFUND Eligibility
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has sparked controversy with its eligibility criteria, excluding students from private universities and those without JAMB registration numbers. This move has been criticized by Professor Jonathan Babalola, Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, who argues that it is unfair to deny private university students access to the loan scheme.
Bowen University’s 19th Convocation
Meanwhile, Bowen University is set to hold its 19th convocation ceremony, where 115 students will receive First Class Honours, and 323 students will graduate with Second Class, Upper Division. The university will also confer postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees to deserving students.
The Way Forward
The eligibility criteria for NELFUND have raised important questions about accessibility and fairness in education funding. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will revisit the eligibility criteria to include private university students.
