The 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 attending private universities across the country.
Speaking during a press briefing ahead of Bowen University’s 20th convocation ceremony, Prof. Babalola described the exclusion of private university students from the scheme as unfair and discriminatory. He emphasized that all Nigerian students, regardless of the type of institution they attend, deserve equal access to educational support.
“It is insincerity from the Federal Government to say that private universities cannot benefit from NELFund. The loan should be made available to students in both public and private institutions. We are all Nigerians—why discriminate between them?” he said.
Prof. Babalola also pointed out that many students in private universities come from modest backgrounds, sharing that he had personally encountered a student who could afford to eat only once a day.
“Not all students in private universities are wealthy; some are indigent and genuinely in need of financial assistance,” he added.
About NELFund and Its Reach
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) was established under the Student Loan Scheme signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in April 2024. The program provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions to cover tuition and living expenses, which beneficiaries repay after securing employment post-graduation.
Since launching in May 2024, NELFund has disbursed ₦116.4 billion to 624,535 students across 239 institutions, from a total of 929,805 applications. Of this amount, ₦65.3 billion went directly to schools for tuition payments, while ₦51.1 billion was allocated as upkeep allowances.
The loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session opened on October 23, 2025, and will remain active until January 31, 2026.
Bowen’s 20th Convocation Ceremony
The upcoming 20th convocation ceremony at Bowen University will see 1,064 students graduate across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Breakdown of results:
- First Class Honours: 143 students
- Second Class Upper: 394 students
- Second Class Lower: 221 students
- Third Class: 69 students
- Pass: 5 students
In professional disciplines like Physiotherapy and Nursing Science, 30 students earned Distinctions, 80 achieved Credit, and 3 obtained a Pass. Additionally, 66 students from the College of Health Sciences will receive the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB;BS) degree.
Postgraduate achievements include 18 Postgraduate Diplomas, 26 Master’s degrees, and 9 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) awards.
Academic Excellence and Institutional Recognition
Prof. Babalola highlighted Bowen University’s growing reputation in global academia. For the sixth consecutive year, the university produced scholars ranked among the Top 2% of scientists worldwide, according to a joint ranking by Stanford University and Elsevier.
Thirteen Bowen lecturers were also listed among the Top 500 authors in Nigeria (2021–2025) by SCOPUS/SCiVal, underscoring the institution’s commitment to impactful research and innovation.
The convocation will also mark the retirement of key staff, including Registrar Mr. Babatunde Adeona, Librarian Dr. Aderonke Otunla, and Chaplain Rev. Dr. Gideon Akanbi, all completing their five-year tenures.
A Call for Fairness
In closing, Prof. Babalola appealed for equity in educational opportunities, stressing that the Federal Government must treat all Nigerian students equally.
“Access to education should not depend on whether one attends a public or private university. Every Nigerian student deserves a fair chance,” he stated.
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