Vice-Chancellors of Bowen University and Kola Daisi University have called on the Federal Government to extend the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme to eligible students in private universities.
The Vice-Chancellors, Prof Jonathan Babalola of Bowen University and Prof Olajumoke Morenikeji of Kola Daisi University, made the appeal on Monday during separate press conferences ahead of their institutions’ forthcoming convocation ceremonies.
They argued that attending a private university does not necessarily mean a student comes from a wealthy family, noting that some parents enrol their children in private institutions because they are unable to secure admission into public universities.
Babalola said the exclusion of private university students from NELFUND was unfair, adding that the Federal Government should reconsider its position on the scheme.
He said some students in private institutions were from families that could not afford the cost of higher education without financial assistance.
According to him, educational support should be based on students’ needs rather than the ownership status of the institutions they attend.
Babalola also called for lecturers in private universities to be considered for research grants under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He argued that research conducted by academics in private institutions could contribute to national development and should
not be excluded from government-supported funding.The Bowen University Vice-Chancellor suggested that research grants could be awarded directly to eligible lecturers rather than through the universities, to address concerns about funding private institutions.
He said Nigeria could benefit from the research output of academics in private universities if they were given access to appropriate funding opportunities.
Morenikeji, on her part, said private university students were Nigerians and should not be denied access to educational financing because of the ownership of their institutions.
She noted that the limited admission spaces in public universities had forced some qualified candidates to seek admission into private institutions.
According to her, some parents choose private universities after their children fail to secure admission into public universities, despite meeting the required qualifications.
She urged the Federal Government to consider the circumstances of students when formulating policies aimed at improving access to higher education.
Morenikeji said extending educational loans to eligible students in private universities would create more opportunities for Nigerians to pursue their academic goals.
The 21st convocation ceremony of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, is scheduled to hold from November 2 to 7, while Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State, is holding its convocation activities from October 26 to November 5, 2026.
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