Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga, the 2025 overall best graduating student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), has responded to criticism following his public appreciation of the federal government's student loan scheme, NELFUND. He clarified that his remarks were not a political endorsement but recognition of assistance that made his education possible.
Background of Hardship
Olugbenga, who graduated from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering with a cumulative grade point average of 4.89, explained his background. He grew up in a village in Osun State in a family of five, where financial constraints were severe. Public schools were the only option, as even low-cost private education was unaffordable. He recalled long walks to school and parents working multiple informal jobs to sustain the household.
On X, he wrote: "I hail from a village in Osun State, raised in a modest family of five. I attended public primary and secondary schools, not by choice, but because even the most inexpensive private schools were beyond our means." For nearly a decade before university, his family lived without electricity or television, relying on lanterns and candles.
Support from Peers and Lecturers
During his undergraduate studies, Olugbenga received support from peers and lecturers. In his third year, a coursemate's father gifted him his first smartphone, which he still uses. Lecturers also provided clothing on several occasions. He stated: "In my third year, a coursemate’s father, someone I had once tutored academically, gifted me my first smartphone which I am still using till now. On several occasions, lecturers, moved by quiet compassion, provided me with clothing."
Defending His Appreciation
Addressing the backlash, Olugbenga maintained that his praise of NELFUND was based on personal experience, not political alignment. He questioned the idea that acknowledging assistance should be interpreted as disregard for broader economic realities. He wrote that financial hardship did not define his limits, and support systems played a key role in his progress as an engineering student aspiring to academic excellence. He expressed gratitude to those who contributed to his success, including the student loan initiative.
His initial post praising NELFUND triggered mixed reactions online, with some accusing him of overlooking the economic hardship many students face. Olugbenga emphasized that his journey was shaped by deep financial hardship, and his recognition of NELFUND was a reflection of the assistance that helped him complete his degree.
