The establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by the President Bola Tinubu administration has been enormously beneficial to tertiary students in the country and it has also brought great relief to them, Pro-chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Mr. Abiodun J. Aluko, has submitted.
Mr Aluko, a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, said this in Ilorin on Wednesday during the 4th leg of the 41st convocation ceremonies of the university which celebrated the formal graduation of 16,125 students.
He also expressed his excitement by the sustained intervention of TETFund in infrastructure and research while however maintaining that sustained investment in research remains essential to consolidating the gains recorded by Nigerian universities.
He praised the institution’s improved international rankings, describing these as evidence of deliberate efforts to strengthen research output, academic visibility, citations and the quality of teaching and learning.
According to him, the university rose from 37th position in Nigeria in the previous year to fifth position in the 2026–2027 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings.
He added that the institution ranked first in Nigeria and 18th in Africa in Aquaculture under the 2026 SCImago Institutions Rankings.
‘This giant leap is not by luck. It is the result of deliberate focus on research output, academic visibility, citations, and the quality of our staff and students’ he said.
He noted that UNILORIN which took off at a temporary site about five decades ago with 200 students and a handful of staff has grown to become one of the country’s most sought-after universities with more than 50,000 students.
The Pro-Chancellor also commended the relative industrial harmony in the education sector, noting that improved relations between the government and university-based unions has helped institutions sustain their academic calendars without disruption from strikes.
Describing UNILORIN as a training ground for leadership, Aluko said this has shown the institution’s commitment to producing competent professionals equipped with integrity and excellence.
‘UNILORIN is a leadership factory. When you train people in excellence and integrity, the world comes looking for them’ he said.
Earlier, in his speech titled ‘Let This Investment Count’ the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Wahab Egbewole, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, expressed appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the academic success of the graduands.
Parents and guardians had according to him gone to extraordinary lengths to keep their children in school urging graduands not to waste the investment.
He said the interventions by NELFUND had helped keep educational opportunities open to students who might otherwise struggle to finance their studies while commending parents and guardians for providing necessary supports.
‘Some of you went to extraordinary lengths to sustain your children’s education. Some took loans. Some took on additional jobs. Others prayed and fasted while their children prepared for examinations.
Today, I say to you, your labour was not in vain. You invested in these young men and women, and today, you are witnessing the fruits of that investment’ he said-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
