Obasanjo and Bells VC Advocate for Inclusion of Private Universities in Student Loan Scheme
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran, the Vice Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, have called on the federal government to include private university students in the upcoming Student Loan Scheme.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Vice Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Ota, Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran, have called on the federal government to include students from private universities in the upcoming Student Loan Scheme.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Asiwaju Onafowokan, Coleman Wires, and Cables building at Bells University’s College of Postgraduate Studies in Ota, Ogun State, both leaders emphasized the importance of integrating private universities into government initiatives.
Former President Obasanjo voiced concerns about the government's ability to implement the Student Loan Scheme transparently. He supported Prof. Ojediran's call for the inclusion of private university students, emphasizing the need for fairness and equal opportunities in higher education.
Meanwhile, Prof. Ojediran commended the contributions of private universities to the education sector and criticized the exclusion of private institutions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and the Student Loan Scheme. He argued that these decisions do not reflect the current societal realities and expectations.
Highlighting the economic challenges faced by parents in ensuring their children's education, Prof. Ojediran stressed the importance of recognizing private universities as partners in national development. He emphasized that graduates from private universities play a significant role in driving Nigeria's economy forward.
The calls by Obasanjo and Prof. Ojediran underscore the need for inclusivity and collaboration between the government and private educational institutions to foster growth, innovation, and equitable access to higher education opportunities for all Nigerian students.
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