Five Visually Impaired UNILAG Students Receive Scholarships from NGOs

Five visually impaired female students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) received scholarships from the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) and the B.O. Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM). The scholarships cover their 200-level fees and include new laptops.

Jul 25, 2024 - 15:47

Five Visually Impaired UNILAG Students Receive Scholarships from NGOs

Five visually impaired female students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been awarded scholarships by two philanthropic NGOs, the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) and the B.O. Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM). The scholarships cover their 200-level fees and include brand-new laptops for each student.

The presentation ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in the Senate Chamber at UNILAG. Barrister Lukman Bolarinwa, Chairman of NAB, and Blessing Oladunjoye, Executive Director of BOFIM, highlighted the importance of providing financial and technological support to visually impaired students, encouraging them to excel academically.

The event underscored the need for an official Inclusion Policy Document at UNILAG to further protect and include students with special needs. The speakers urged more individuals and organizations to support such initiatives to enhance the educational experience for these students.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Research, Professor Bola Oboh, praised the NGOs for their support and reaffirmed UNILAG's commitment to inclusivity. She noted that the university’s policies and infrastructure reflect this commitment, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.

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Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola, and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Olufunlayo Bammeke, also expressed gratitude to the donors, noting that their contributions complement UNILAG’s efforts to promote inclusivity in tertiary education.

The ceremony featured virtual contributions from various facilitators, including Anna Oliver, wife of the scholarship donor, and Mr. Michael Fadeyi, an alumnus and doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex. They emphasized their dedication to supporting students with special needs.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of laptops to the five UNILAG students and two additional visually impaired students from the University of Ilorin and the University of Benin.

Mojisola Adeleye, a 100-level UNILAG student, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries. She noted that the scholarships and laptops would significantly ease their studies and boost their morale for academic success.