No fewer than 3,281 students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) have benefited from the student loan scheme of the federal government through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund(NELFund).
The Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Abayomi Fasina who spoke while addressing journalists on Monday ahead of the 9th convocation ceremony of the university, revealed that over N308 million naira have been received from NELFUND for the school fees of students in the institution.
Fasina who commended President Bola Tinubu for bringing about the initiative, added that the loan scheme has significantly impacted the nation’s education sector with more students meeting up with their studies and boosting enrolments.
The VC maintained that the institution in the last few years has witnessed tremendous progress and growth, especially in the area of accredited programmes and infrastructural projects.
The professor of soil science revealed that the university was recently ranked number 12 in the country, adding that under his leadership in the last four years, FUOYE has become one of the most subscribed universities in the country and that 156 projects have been completed.
According to him, ” I express my profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast support of FUOYE, as well as for the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and TETFUND interventions.
” In the last three months, most of our students have been able to pay their school fees because they have access to this loan and it has really helped us at the university.
“Before now, we need to run after these students to collect the school fees every session, but with this NELFUND, the money came directly to us.
“Also, we need to appreciate the President in the area of TETFUND, because their interventions in the area of infrastructure has really helped us as a university.
“FUOYE’s growth trajectory is guided by our strategic initiatives, which are designed to address both immediate and long-term goals. One of the key initiatives is the Green Revolution Initiative, launched in 2023, which emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices and aligns with Nigeria’s economic needs.
“To date, we’ve cultivated 15 hectares of oil palm, 10 hectares of cassava, and 5 hectares of pineapple, and we are exploring further agricultural ventures. This initiative is not just about enhancing FUOYE’s financial sustainability, but also contributing to national food security and economic development.”
Fasina said that no fewer than 177 students graduated with a First Class degree, 3,466 Second Class Upper, 3,715 Second Class Lower, 831 Third Class out of the total 8444 graduating students.
He noted that the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sunday Echono would deliver the convocation lecture on February 22,2024 before the award of degrees and honorary degrees to four distinguished personalities in the country.
According to him, two former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Senator Kanu Agabi and Chief Adebayo Ojo; the chairman of Air Peace Airline, Dr Allen Onyema and the Managing Director of First Bank, Segun Alebiosu would be honored with the university’s honorary degrees for their contributions to the nation and advancement of humanity.
The VC said that the university would be launching an endowment fundraising of N1 billion on February 20, 2025 as part of activities for the convocation ceremony.
Highlighting other activities for the university’s 9th Convocation Ceremony, Prof. Fasina noted it will feature the commissioning of projects which include; 1,000 seater auditorium, the Fasina Conference Center, 3 in 1 Science Laboratory, New CBT centre, Faculty of Law and Education building, among others.
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