OAU Students Rally to Support Colleague After NELFUND Loan Denial

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have once again demonstrated the power of unity and compassion as they mobilised funds to assist a fellow student whose NELFUND loan application was rejected for the 2024/2025 academic session.

The student, who had hoped to finance her tuition through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, was unable to reapply after the portal closed. With the university’s registration portal scheduled to shut down until December 5, her inability to pay fees became an urgent barrier to completing her course registration.

In response, fellow student Adebesin Olatunbosun issued a heartfelt appeal across student platforms, explaining that ₦38,500 — half of her tuition — was needed to help her beat the portal deadline. Olatunbosun noted that he had emptied his personal account to encourage trust and assured donors that every naira would be directed to the student in need.

The plea quickly gained traction. Contributions poured in — from ₦100 to ₦1,000 and beyond — as the OAU community rallied to support their colleague. Social media amplified the cause, transforming a small act of kindness into a campus-wide movement.

The initiative has also reignited conversations around ongoing challenges facing NELFUND applicants, including sudden portal closures, technical delays, and communication gaps that leave many students stranded despite meeting requirements.

Still, beyond concerns over policy and systems, the moment has become a powerful reflection of the “Great Ife” spirit. Students, parents, and advocacy groups have praised the display of empathy and communal responsibility, noting that such acts help cushion the financial burden on struggling families at a time of rising education costs.

Those wishing to support the effort were directed to donate through the Opay account: 9153035130 (Adebesin Olatunbosun), with organisers assuring transparency and exclusive use of funds for the student’s tuition.

While institutional challenges persist, the outpouring of support has reaffirmed a core value of the OAU community — that no student should be left behind when collective goodwill can make the difference.