The Vice-Chancellor of McPherson University, Ajebo, Ogun State, Professor Francis Igbasan, has urged the Federal Government to include students of private universities across the country in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Igbasan also called on the government to grant private institutions access to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to support academic development in private universities.
He made the call during a press conference held at the institution’s conference hall on Monday to commemorate the 8th and 9th combined convocation, scheduled for Friday.
The Vice-Chancellor described the exclusion of private universities from NELFUND and TETFund as an injustice to private institutions.
He stressed that one of the major challenges facing private universities is inadequate funding, which could be addressed if they were granted access to these funds.
He said, “Our major challenge is funding. Although we receive regular financial support from the institution’s proprietor, Foursquare Gospel Church, it is not enough. Private universities have been appealing to the Federal Government to include us as part of TETFund.
“The students we produce also contribute to the country’s workforce and economy. There is no justification for excluding private universities—it is an injustice. Even if we benefit from TETFund once every two years, it would help us improve our infrastructure and better train our students.
“The same applies to NELFUND. Only public university students currently benefit from it. I see no reason why private university students should be excluded. These students are also citizens of this country and have a right to financial support for their education.”
Speaking on the upcoming convocation, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that 24 out of the 281 graduating students achieved first-class honours.
“We are set to graduate 281 students, distributed as follows: 24 earned first-class honours, 116 obtained second-class upper division, 65 secured second-class lower division, and 13 graduated with third-class degrees.
“For the first time, we will also be awarding degrees to 21 postgraduate students and 42 diploma students.”
He further stated that the university has developed a specialised entrepreneurship curriculum, making it compulsory for all admitted students to undergo four years of vocational training in addition to their academic studies.
Highlights of the press conference included a facility tour of the newly constructed 5,000-seater hall, the anatomy laboratory, the live radio studio, and the entrepreneurship training facilities.
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