Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Prof. Jonathan Babalola, has called on the Federal Government to extend the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to students of private universities, describing their exclusion as “unfair and unjustifiable.”
Speaking at a press conference to herald the institution’s 20th convocation ceremony, Babalola said it was inequitable to deny students in private institutions access to the education loan since the scheme is funded by taxpayers’ money.
“The funds used to run NELFUND are generated from taxpayers’ money. In both public and private universities, you will find brilliant researchers and scientists. It is unfair and ungodly to exclude private university students from benefiting,” he said.
The don noted that contrary to public perception, not all students in private universities come from affluent backgrounds. According to him, many of them struggle to meet financial obligations, with some parents taking cooperative or commercial loans to pay tuition fees.
He cited the case of a Bowen student, who could afford only one meal a day because his parents had to borrow to keep him in school, insisting that such realities prove the need for a more inclusive loan policy.
Babalola argued that since education remains a public good and a national investment, the government must ensure that no category of students is discriminated against.
He disclosed that Bowen University, in its own effort, constantly seeks scholarships and support from well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to assist indigent students.
The Federal Government had earlier justified the exemption of private university students from NELFUND on the grounds that such institutions are profit-oriented and charge higher fees, making them ineligible for public subsidies. However, stakeholders have continued to fault that position, arguing that the objective of NELFUND, to make tertiary education accessible to all Nigerians, should not be undermined by the ownership status of institutions.
Education analysts contend that the exclusion of over 147,000 students currently enrolled in Nigeria’s 79 private universities contradicts the spirit of inclusiveness and equity. They argue that expanding NELFUND’s coverage could help reduce dropout rates and ease financial pressure on struggling families, especially as inflation and tuition costs continue to rise.
Highlighting the university’s record of academic and moral excellence, Babalola announced that a total of 1,064 students will graduate at the forthcoming convocation ceremony, scheduled for Friday. Of this number, 143 will earn First Class honours, 394 Second Class (Upper Division), and 221 Second Class (Lower Division), among others.
“These graduating students have been nurtured intellectually, socially, and morally in line with our vision of raising godly leaders who combine character with competence,” he said.
Founded by the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Bowen University has continued to distinguish itself as one of the leading faith-based institutions in the country, emphasising discipline, innovation, and moral integrity as the core of its academic mission.
