The Vice-Chancellor, Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, has advised the federal government to expand the Student Loan Scheme to include students in both public and private higher institutions.
Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the university’s Sixth Convocation Ceremony, Odetunde emphasised that all students, regardless of the institution they attended, were Nigerians being trained to contribute to the country’s development.
“Interestingly, a significant portion of the taxes funding this scheme is paid by the parents of students in private universities,” he noted.
During a recent stakeholders’ meeting following this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Odetunde raised concerns about why private university students are excluded from the scheme.
Although the Managing Director of NELFUND explained that the financial support required for a private university student was roughly equivalent to that of three public university students, Odetunde countered that recent fee increases at public institutions and the sacrifices made by parents to keep their children in private schools merit consideration.
“Private universities are crucial in bridging the gap in manpower training needed in the country,” he added.
Odetunde expressed gratitude to the Catholic Church and Chancellor Mr Femi Otedola, for their support, saying Augustine University’s commitment to becoming a premier institution of learning.
He stressed the importance of equipping students with not just academic knowledge but also practical skills that enhance their employability.
“Today’s graduates must be competitive. At Augustine University, we don’t limit training to their chosen courses; we provide hands-on experience that makes them stand out. Education involves more than just good grades; industrial experience is vital, and we are collaborating with various industries to achieve this,” he said.
He also revealed the introduction of new courses and programs aimed at increasing the university’s student population in the next admission cycle.
He said, “The upcoming convocation will see 71 students graduating from various departments, along with 28 from the St. Gregory School of Pastoral Music. Notably, 11 students will graduate with First Class honors, with Loko Iyanuoluwa Emmanuel from the Department of Computer Science recognised as the Best Graduating Student, achieving a CGPA of 4.91.”