The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has awarded ₦5.8 million in scholarships to 29 students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. Each recipient received ₦200,000 to help ease the financial challenges of pursuing a university education.
Out of the total beneficiaries, 27 students were sponsored by the OOU branch of ASUU, while the national body sponsored two students.
The scholarships were presented at the ASUU-OOU Secretariat after the union’s Branch Congress. The ASUU-OOU Chairman, Olukayode Oyenuga, represented by his Vice Chairman, Eniola Olooto, highlighted that the selection was based on financial need and academic excellence.
He advised the beneficiaries to manage the funds wisely, saying:
“We hope to sponsor more scholarships, but our capacity depends on available funds. This year, ASUU increased the scholarship amount by ₦100,000 due to economic factors. ASUU members are like local parents to students. Within our financial limits, we’ll continue assisting indigent students.”
Oyenuga also appealed to the federal government to maintain the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), warning against its replacement with the proposed National Education Loans Fund (NELFund).
He emphasized:
“TETFund is a product of ASUU’s struggles. About 90% of university structures are TETFund-sponsored. If we renamed our university ‘TETFund University,’ we wouldn’t be wrong. Without TETFund, we are going back to the pre-TETFund era, characterized by archaic structures.”
Two of the scholarship recipients, Zulaikha Omayoza, a final-year Pharmacy student, and Oppoola Kingdom, a 500-level Crop Production student, expressed their gratitude.
Oppoola Kingdom shared:
“The scholarship has changed my perception of ASUU. I learned about the opportunity through a lecturer and I am grateful I took advantage of it. This grant has inspired me to practice generosity when I’m able.”
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