The event, held at the Crownbirth Event Center, Ijebu-Ife, was facilitated by Otunba Femi Adewumi and hosted by Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde (Hacco), Executive Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government. It brought together parents, guardians, students, community leaders, and education stakeholders to provide comprehensive guidance on accessing the NELFUND student loan. The programme aims to remove financial barriers and ensure that more Nigerian students can pursue higher education without economic constraints.
Speaking at the event, Adewumi emphasized the programme’s impact, stating, “Our goal was simple — to ensure that no student in our communities is left behind because of financial barriers. I am proud of the impact this sensitization has achieved, and I commend NELFUND for delivering real opportunities to our young people.”
NELFUND also confirmed disbursements for the 2024/2025 academic session to institutions in Ogun State, reflecting the tangible outcomes of the outreach:
-
Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science & Technology, Omu-Ajose
Batch 1: 264 students — N33,575,000
Batch 2: 59 students — N6,997,500
Total: N40,572,500 -
Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
3,473 students — N718,585,000 -
Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic
Batch 1: 87 students — N12,164,500
Batch 2: 18 students — N14,779,500
NELFUND’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, applauded the collaborative effort, noting, “Our mission is to democratize access to higher education for every Nigerian student, regardless of financial background. The support from community leaders such as Otunba Femi Adewumi and Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde shows what is possible when government institutions and local stakeholders work together.”
He added that the Fund remains committed to expanding such sensitisation programmes across all six geopolitical zones, ensuring that awareness and access to the student loan scheme are maximized nationwide.
NELFUND acknowledged the vital role played by Otunba Femi Adewumi in facilitating the Ijebu-Ife programme, which contributed significantly to the successful uptake of loans in Ogun State. The Fund reiterated its dedication to keeping every eligible Nigerian student informed, supported, and empowered to access higher education opportunities.
Further sensitisation exercises and institutional visits are scheduled nationwide as part of NELFUND’s ongoing outreach efforts to bridge the financial gap in tertiary education.