The Federal Government has announced a remarkable decline in student leave of absence requests at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ogun State, plummeting from approximately 3,000 annually to zero. This significant reduction is attributed to the introduction of the student loan scheme, which aims to alleviate financial burdens for students in public tertiary institutions nationwide.
Impact of the Student Loan Initiative
According to Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, who spoke in Abuja recently, the scheme has enabled students to continue their studies without interruption. Prior to its implementation, thousands of OOU students were forced to suspend their education each year due to an inability to cover tuition and other academic costs. Dr. Alausa emphasized that this development highlights the positive effects of the initiative, part of broader efforts to enhance access to higher education and reduce dropout rates.
Minister's Statement on Educational Progress
Dr. Alausa described the 100% reduction as encouraging, noting that similar outcomes are anticipated in other beneficiary institutions as more students utilize the loan facility. He shared a conversation with the Vice-Chancellor of OOU, who reported that in the past two years, there have been zero applications for leave of absence, compared to the previous annual average of 3,000. The minister explained that these leaves were not for political appointments but for students needing to work to fund their education.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
Managed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the student loan portal was launched on May 24, 2024, as part of the Federal Government's strategy to expand educational access by providing interest-free loans to indigent students. As of March 28, 2026, the fund has disbursed over N227.5 billion to more than 1.3 million students across 282 institutions. A detailed breakdown shows N146 billion allocated for institutional fees and N80 billion for upkeep allowances.
Government Commitment to Sustained Policies
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Bola Tinubu administration's dedication to maintaining policies that support uninterrupted academic progression and improve education quality in Nigeria. He highlighted that students previously admitted to programs like engineering, law, and medicine but unable to afford them can now continue their studies, thanks to the loan scheme. This intervention is expected to benefit many more universities and students across the country, fostering a more inclusive educational environment.
