The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan branch, has awarded scholarships totalling ₦1.1m to 11 indigent students of the institution to support their education.
The scholarship awards, presented on Thursday during the union’s congress, were funded through contributions from ASUU’s national leadership, the university branch and a professor at the institution, Tajudeen Akanji.
Two students received ₦200,000 each from the union’s national body, while five beneficiaries received ₦100,000 each from the University of Ibadan branch. The remaining four students were awarded ₦50,000 each through sponsorship by Akanji.
Speaking at the presentation of cheques, the university branch’s Vice-Chairman, Dr Tayo Ajibade, who represented the Chairman, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, disclosed that 56 students had applied for the scholarship, but only 11 were selected after the screening process.
Ajibade said the initiative followed a directive from ASUU’s national leadership asking its branches to provide financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He explained that the union’s commitment to supporting indigent students was connected to its long-standing campaign for improved funding of public universities and access to quality education.
“The urge to support indigent students was the directive of the national body of the union to all chapters to support in a little way, children from indigent homes who really need financial support,” he said.
He added that financial hardship should not prevent qualified Nigerian students from pursuing higher education.
“Poverty should not disqualify a Nigerian child from accessing education,” Ajibade stated.
Among the beneficiaries were Olawale Esther Inioluwa, a 300-level Archaeology and Anthropology student, and Orji Cynthia Adaeze, a 300-level Political Science student, who received ₦200,000 each.
Other recipients of the ₦100,000 awards included Dosunmu Mazeedah Omobonike of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oyeniyi Oluwaseyi, a 400-level Pharmacy student, Aanuoluwa Adeshewa Mary, a 400-level Physiotherapy student, and Ameenat Eniola of the Department of Economics.
The remaining branch-sponsored beneficiary, Olowode Afusat Temitayo, received ₦50,000.
The four students supported through Akanji’s personal sponsorship were Ogundare Marvellous, Williams Happiness of the Department of Psychology, Oladepo Peter Olamide of the Department of Microbiology and Gbadegesin Daniel, a 400-level Banking and Finance student.
Ajibade said the union recognised education as one of the most valuable forms of support it could offer young people, particularly those struggling financially to remain in school.
He added that ASUU would continue advocating increased funding and better educational standards while supporting students through initiatives such as the scholarship scheme.
One of the sponsors, Professor Tajudeen Akanji, pledged to continue assisting students from disadvantaged backgrounds for as long as he lived.
Akanji said his personal experience had shaped his commitment to education, explaining that he was the son of a carpenter who rose to the peak of his career through the opportunities education provided.
One of the recipients, Olawale Esther Inioluwa, expressed surprise and appreciation after receiving the award, saying she had not expected to be selected.
She encouraged other students to take their academic responsibilities seriously and remain focused on their studies.
“I was not even expecting it. What I will say to UI students is that 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.
Another beneficiary, Oladepo Peter Olamide, thanked ASUU’s national leadership and the University of Ibadan branch for introducing the initiative, describing the scholarship as encouragement for students facing financial difficulties.
He also urged fellow students to remain committed to their education and make the most of opportunities available to them.
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