ASUU at UI gives ₦1.1m in scholarships to 11 students in need
- The University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU has awarded ₦1.1 million in scholarships to 11 students facing financial hardship.
- Two students got ₦200,000 each from the national body, five got ₦100,000 from the branch and four got ₦50,000 from a lecturer.
- The union said 56 students applied and 11 met the criteria; the cheques were presented at a congress on Thursday.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Ibadan has given out ₦1.1 million in scholarships to 11 students who are struggling to pay their way through school.
The cheques were presented on Thursday at an emergency congress of the branch, after a screening committee looked at the applications. The union said 56 students applied, and 11 were found to qualify.
The money came from three places. Two students received ₦200,000 each under the national ASUU scholarship scheme. Five got ₦100,000 each from the UI branch, and four received ₦50,000 each from a personal fund set up by Professor Tajudeen Akanji of the university.
Who got what
Olawale Esther Inioluwa, a 300-level Archaeology and Anthropology student, was the highest-ranked applicant and got ₦200,000. Orji Cynthia Adaeze, a 300-level Political Science student, also got ₦200,000 under the national scheme.
The ₦100,000 branch awards went to Dosunmu Mazeedah Omobonike (Pharmaceutical Sciences), Oyeniyi Oluwaseyi (400-level Pharmacy), Aanuoluwa Adeshewa Mary (400-level Physiotherapy), Ameenat Eniola (Economics) and Olowode Afusat Temitayo.
The ₦50,000 awards sponsored by Akanji went to Ogundare Marvellous, Williams Happiness Patient (Psychology), Oladepo Peter Olamide (Microbiology) and Gbadegesin Daniel, a 400-level Banking and Finance student.
Speaking for the branch chairman, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, the vice chairman, Dr Tayo Ajibade, said the national body had asked chapters across the country to help students from poor homes within their means. He said poverty should not stop a Nigerian child from getting an education, and that the union would keep pressing for better funding of public universities.
“Our union has recognized that the best gift that you can give to anyone is education,” Ajibade said.
Akanji, who paid for four of the awards himself, said he would keep supporting students for as long as he lives. He recalled growing up as the son of a carpenter and said his own experience showed what education can do.
What happens next
The union did not say whether the scheme will run again next session. It urged lecturers to copy Akanji and sponsor students in need, and asked the beneficiaries to stay close to the union when they run into trouble.
For the students, the money is a direct relief. Olawale said she did not expect to win and had simple advice for her colleagues.
“They should make sure they take their academics very seriously because the number one thing we came to the university for is academics,” she said.
Oladepo thanked the national leadership and the UI branch, saying the award would push students to work harder.
