The University of Ibadan (UI) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has awarded scholarships worth ₦1.1 million to 11 indigent students of the institution to ease their financial burdens and support their academic pursuits.
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The beneficiaries received their awards on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during an ASUU congress where cheques were presented to the selected students.
The Vice Chairman of ASUU-UI, Dr Tayo Ajibade, who represented the chapter’s Chairman, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, disclosed that 56 students applied for the scholarship, but only 11 met the selection criteria.
Ajibade explained that the initiative followed a directive from the union’s national leadership urging its branches to provide financial assistance, within their available resources, to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He stressed that poverty should not prevent young Nigerians from accessing quality education, reaffirming the union’s commitment to advocating improved funding for public universities.
Under the scheme, two students received ₦200,000 each from the national ASUU body, while five beneficiaries received ₦100,000 each from the University of Ibadan chapter. Four other students received ₦50,000 each from a personal endowment by Professor Tajudeen Akanji of the university.
Among the beneficiaries are Olawale Esther Inioluwa, a 300-level student of Archaeology and Anthropology; Orji Cynthia Adaeze, a 300-level Political Science student; Dosunmu Mazeedah Omobonike of Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Oyeniyi Oluwaseyi, a 400-level Pharmacy student.
Others include Aanuoluwa Adeshewa Mary, a 400-level Physiotherapy student; Ameenat Eniola of Economics; Olowode Afusat Temitayo; Ogundare Marvellous; Williams Happiness Patient of Psychology; Oladepo Peter Olamide of Microbiology; and Gbadegesin Daniel, a 400-level Banking and Finance student.
Speaking on his contribution, Professor Akanji pledged to continue supporting financially disadvantaged students for as long as he lives. He attributed his commitment to his background as the son of a carpenter who rose to the peak of his academic career, describing education as a powerful tool for transforming lives.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Olawale expressed appreciation to the union and encouraged other students to remain committed to their studies, while Oladepo described the scholarship as an encouragement for undergraduates to pursue academic excellence.
The union assured that it would continue exploring ways to support students facing financial difficulties, while sustaining its advocacy for improved funding and learning conditions in public universities.
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