Osun State University VC Mandates Fresh Students to Apply for Federal Government Loan

The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Clement Adebooye, has directed newly admitted students to apply for the Federal Government’s student loan facilitated by the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This move aims to ease the financial burden on students amid the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

Speaking at the institution’s 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium on the main campus in Osogbo, Professor Adebooye emphasized the importance of the loan scheme for students’ academic success. He assured the fresh students of timely completion of their academic programs and stressed the university’s commitment to supporting their educational journey.

“I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you,” he stated.

The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted the competitive nature of admissions for the 2024 academic session. According to him, over 30,000 candidates applied for admission, but only 11,000 were offered spots across various academic programs, representing approximately one-third of the applicants. This achievement, he said, is a testament to the students’ potential and capability to thrive in any Nigerian university.

However, he urged the new students to remain focused and committed to their academic pursuits, noting that gaining admission is only the beginning of their educational journey.

“It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university,” he remarked.

He advised the students to brace themselves for the rigors of university life, which include lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character development. “Not everyone that starts a race usually completes it,” he noted, underscoring the need for hard work and perseverance.

The directive to apply for the NELFUND loan underscores the university’s proactive approach to supporting students amid Nigeria’s challenging economic conditions. It also reflects a broader effort to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder academic progress for the newly admitted students.