The Federal Government has been urged to extend the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to students of private universities across the country. Professor Francis Igbasan, Vice-Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State, made the call during a press conference on Monday ahead of the institution’s 8th and 9th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for February 28, 2025.
Igbasan also called on the government to grant private universities access to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to support academic development. He described the exclusion of private institutions from both NELFUND and TETFund as an injustice, stressing that all Nigerian students deserve equal access to financial aid and academic funding, regardless of the institution they attend.
“One of the major challenges facing private universities is inadequate funding,” he said. “If granted access to these funds, private universities will be able to improve infrastructure, research, and overall academic development.”
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted McPherson University’s achievements, particularly in infrastructural development and entrepreneurship initiatives, which he said positioned the institution among the top 10 private universities in Nigeria.
For this year’s convocation, 281 students will be graduating, including 24 with first-class honours, 116 with second-class upper division, 65 with second-class lower division, 13 with third-class, 21 postgraduate students, and 42 diploma students.
In what would be recalled as a historic milestone, the university announced that it would be graduating postgraduate students and admitting over 930 new students for the first time, a notable achievement compared to previous years.
Igbasan’s remarks add to ongoing conversations about the need for the government to provide financial support to all tertiary institutions, regardless of their ownership, to enhance educational opportunities for Nigerian students.
As part of the convocation celebrations, several activities have been lined up:
– Personality Interviews – Tuesday, 25th February
– Valedictory and Impartation Service – Wednesday, 26th February
– Vice-Chancellor’s Cup (Men’s Final) – Thursday, 27th February
– Alumni Night & Convocation Play – Thursday, 27th February
– Conferment of Diploma, First Degrees, and Higher Degrees – Friday, 28th February
– Main Convocation Ceremony and Convocation Lecture – Friday, 28th February, featuring a lecture by the Guest Speaker, Professor Mobolaji Ebenezer Aluko, Ekiti State Commissioner for Public Infrastructure and Public Utilities.
