Gbajabiamila Lauds Gov. Adeleke, Osun State Leads in NELFUND Enrolment Amidst Political Scrutiny

Osogbo, Osun State – The Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and his administration for their “phenomenal job” in the state, prioritizing governance over politics and fostering collaboration with the Federal Government. This commendation was made during Gbajabiamila’s visit to Osogbo to deliver the inaugural annual lecture of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN).

Speaking at the Government House, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila lauded Governor Adeleke’s strategic and impactful leadership, noting the significant contributions of Osun representatives in the National Assembly, including Hon. Bamidele Salam, whose work on the House Committee on Public Account has helped the Federal Government address corruption vulnerabilities. “I must say that you and members of your team are doing a phenomenal job in the state and on the national pedestal,” Gbajabiamila stated, emphasizing the importance of federal and state cooperation for the betterment of the populace.

However, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly questioned Gbajabiamila’s praise, labeling the Adeleke administration as a “disaster” and suggesting the Chief of Staff’s comments were based on insufficient information.

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In his address, Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed delight in receiving the Chief of Staff, describing him as a brother and partner in progress dedicated to the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Governor Adeleke praised President Tinubu for steering Nigeria towards greatness and specifically applauded the introduction of the student loan funds (NELFUND), viewing it as a crucial initiative to ensure universal access to quality tertiary education for Nigerians.

Osun State Leads in NELFUND Engagement

Notably, Osun State has emerged as a frontrunner in the nationwide enrolment process for NELFUND. The Nigeria Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) has awarded Governor Adeleke for Osun State’s achievement in securing the first position in terms of responsiveness and submission of institutional and student data among all 36 states. The Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyer, commended Governor Adeleke for embracing President Tinubu’s vision for the loan scheme.

While acknowledging the benefits of the NELFUND initiative, Governor Adeleke urged the management to ensure the scheme does not become a “debt trap” for beneficiaries, advocating for lessons to be learned from similar student loan systems in other countries like the United States. He stressed the need for the Yoruba race to maximize the opportunities presented by NELFUND.

Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda through the vigorous pursuit of his five-point agenda, aiming to position Osun State for economic prosperity. He called on governors in the Southwest to continue supporting the federal administration’s laudable initiatives.

UNIOSUN Annual Lecture Highlights Education Funding

During the maiden UNIOSUN Annual Lecture, themed “Interrogating the Funding of Education: Global Versus Nigerian Perspectives,” Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila delivered a keynote address advocating for innovative and sustainable funding models for Nigeria’s universities. He highlighted the growing pressure on the higher education system and underscored the importance of public service in strengthening democratic governance.

Governor Adeleke, speaking at the same event, lauded UNIOSUN’s rapid growth and its contribution to the state’s educational landscape, noting a significant improvement in Osun State’s national examination rankings from 33rd in 2022 to 7th in the latest report.