Adeyemi varsity urges NELFUND to release over N68m students loan

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, Professor Samuel Akintunde, has disclosed that the institution is expecting the disbursement of N68.3 million from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for its students who applied for the loan.

Akintunde made this known at a press conference held to mark the 35th convocation ceremony of the institution. He stated that a total of 995 students had applied for the loan.

According to the Acting VC, the amount being awaited excludes the N20,000 monthly stipends promised as part of the student loan scheme.

He said, “Regarding the student loan, NELFUND is yet to release the funds to us, but we are optimistic, as the process has reached the stage of disbursement to the university.

“The total sum expected is N68,316,200 for the 995 students who applied. It is important to note that NELFUND is not automatic—students who do not apply will not benefit from it and must source funds to pay their fees independently.

“This amount does not include the monthly stipends of N20,000 per student.”

Professor Akintunde also expressed concern over the soaring cost of energy, revealing that the university spends over N26 million monthly on electricity. He said persistent power outages have exacerbated the situation, making it increasingly difficult to manage operational expenses.

He stated, “Funding remains a major challenge for the university. We paid about N26 million on electricity bills last month alone, excluding the additional expenses on diesel. The university consumes 5,000 litres of diesel every fortnight, which adds to our financial burden.”

Speaking on the upcoming convocation ceremony, scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week, the Acting VC disclosed that a total of 18,825 students would be conferred with various degrees.

He explained that the graduating students comprise six sets, including 6,269 National Certificate in Education (NCE) students, 11,501 degree students, and 1,055 part-time students.

He also revealed that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, an alumna of the institution, would be honoured during the convocation for her significant contribution towards the institution’s transition from a college of education to a university.

“The 35th convocation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday 22nd to Friday 23rd May 2025 and includes a series of activities. We are graduating six sets of students: 6,269 from NCE, 11,501 from the degree programme, and 1,055 from the part-time programme,” he said.

“Three distinguished Nigerians, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will be conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees. Senator Tinubu, a distinguished alumna of the university from the Department of Botany and Zoology, merits the award not only for her role in education but also for her contribution to the upgrade of the institution to university status.”

He added that the convocation lecture, titled “The Advent of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Nigerian Tertiary Education”, would be delivered by Professor Toyin Falola, a Professor of African Studies at the University of Texas, Austin, USA.

The award ceremony for the Honorary Doctorates, Diplomas, NCE, Degrees, and Prize-Giving will take place on Friday, 23rd May 2025.

The recipients of the Honorary Doctorate Degrees are Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON; Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe and paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom; and Professor Toyin Falola.

Furthermore, the alumni foundation day lecture will be delivered on Wednesday, 21st May by Mr Adebayo Adenipekun, a distinguished alumnus. The grand finale of alumni activities will take place on Saturday, 24th May at the Alumni Hall, during the national alumni convention.

Reflecting on the institution’s achievements since his appointment, Professor Akintunde stated that the university has maintained its reputation as a leading institution in teacher education, academic research, and community development.

He said the university has produced thousands of graduates who have excelled across various fields, contributing meaningfully to both national and global development.

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Regarding community impact, he noted that the university has played a vital role in the development of Ondo community, Ondo State, and Nigeria as a whole through outreach programmes, including free immunisation services to address public health needs.

“We have prioritised the welfare of both staff and students through improved working conditions, scholarships, and support for research grants, despite funding limitations.

“We have also enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of our students and staff within and around the campus.

“As we prepare to celebrate our graduating students, we remain committed to the vision of making AFUED a world-class institution for teacher education and research. We are optimistic about the future and will continue to pursue excellence in all areas of our operations.”