1,116 AAUA Students Receive ₦144.53 Million NELFUND Education Loans

No fewer than 1,116 students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, have benefited from the Federal Government’s education financing initiative under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, providing significant relief from tuition and statutory fee obligations.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Olugbenga Ige, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Akungba-Akoko, noting that the institution has received a total sum of ₦144,530,000 from NELFUND to support eligible students.

According to him, the funds were released specifically to cover tuition and mandatory charges for beneficiaries, easing the financial burden on students and their families. He described the interest-free loan scheme as a timely intervention that has improved access to higher education and enhanced student welfare.

Professor Ige expressed appreciation to NELFUND for the initiative, stating that the programme, which commenced last year, has continued to deliver meaningful support to students of the university. He confirmed that the ₦144.53 million represents the total amount disbursed to Adekunle Ajasin University under the scheme so far.

Speaking on his five-year tenure as vice-chancellor, Ige said the university has recorded remarkable progress and maintained its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading state-owned institutions for research and academic excellence. He highlighted advancements in research output, academic expansion, staff and student welfare, sports development, skills acquisition and strategic partnerships that have boosted the institution’s global visibility.

He explained that his administration assumed office in July 2021 with a clear vision to reposition the university as a centre of excellence, adding that the goals set at the beginning of his tenure have translated into concrete achievements.

According to him, the university has strengthened academic integrity through structural reforms that led to the full accreditation of all academic programmes. He said the institution expanded its academic scope by increasing the number of faculties from seven to ten, with the creation of new faculties of Administration and Management Sciences, Allied Health Sciences and Computing.

He also disclosed that new academic departments, including French, Food Science and Library and Information Science, were established, while major infrastructure projects were completed across the campus. These include new buildings for the Faculties of Science and Social Sciences, as well as the renovation of the 30-Classroom Quadrangle, Intercontinental Hall and Faculty of Education complex. The university’s Business School in Akure was also upgraded and equipped with modern facilities.

Professor Ige acknowledged the support of the Ondo State Government, particularly Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as well as the cooperation of staff, students and labour unions, noting that their collective efforts contributed to the university’s achievements.

He pledged to sustain the momentum by strengthening student welfare initiatives through scholarships and work-study programmes, while maintaining the institution’s commitment to sports development and academic excellence.