The Vice Chancellor of Trinity University, Yaba, Prof. Clement Kolawole, has urged the Federal Government to end the ongoing discrimination against private universities in the country by allowing them access to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He also enjoined the Federal Government to allow students in these universities to have access to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) like their counterparts in federal and state institutions.

He made the plea yesterday at a media briefing on the celebration of the university’s fourth convocation ceremony slated for March 27, 2026.

Kolawole expressed concern on the decision to exclude private universities and their students from both TETFund and NELFund, noting that students in these institutions also have equal rights as those in both state and federal universities.

He said that the fact that some students are in private universities doesn’t mean that they should be discriminated against.

“It is important to carry them along, too because their parents pay taxes. Proprietors of private universities also pay taxes. So, there’s no reason for the discrimination,” he stated.

The vice chancellor said students in private universities should be allowed to enjoy NELFund while members of staff in these institutions should have access to TETFund for research.

“TETFund should give me a building in my university because I am also producing Nigerians who will graduate and contribute to the social and political development of this country. So, the fact that their parents can struggle to send them to private universities should not be criminalised.”

He said it was high time leaders know that every Nigerian is entitled to equal opportunities and rights.

Kolawole said that the convocation is a moment of great triumph and celebrates the hard work and dedication of graduating students, who have successfully completed their academic programmes and are making their families proud.

“As a university, our sense of accomplishment is palpable, as this represents another testament that the university’s mission to provide quality education and shape the next generation of leaders is being fulfilled,” he further said.

However, as part of activities lined up for the convocation week, the convocation lecture would be delivered on March 26, by Senior Pastor and Founder of The Covenant Nation, Pastor Poju Oyemade. This will be followed by a Thanksgiving service.

At the event, 200 students from the Faculties of Arts, Social and Management Sciences (101), Basic and Applied Medical Sciences (64) and Nursing Sciences (35) will receive their degrees at the convocation ceremony.
Of these figures, 51 students made First Class degrees, 61 obtained Second Class Upper Division, 55 obtained Second Lower Division, while four had Third Class.

In addition, 12 students of the university’s Centre for Addiction Science and Behavioural Psychology will also receive their diplomas at the convocation ceremony.