Bowen University VC Critiques Exclusion from Education Funds

Prof. Jonathan Babalola, the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University in Iwo, Osun State, criticized the Nigerian government's decision to exclude students and researchers from privately owned universities from the benefits of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Speaking to journalists ahead of the university's 21st convocation, he stated that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities had attempted to persuade the government to extend these supports but had not succeeded.

Babalola emphasized that students in private universities deserve assistance similar to their public counterparts, arguing that the contributions of private university researchers to nation-building should be recognized. He announced that Bowen University would confer degrees on 1,443 graduands, including 218 First Class degrees and 86 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degrees.

Additionally, he noted that all eight academic programs presented for accreditation received full accreditation status.