In a bid to support access to quality education and ensure that financial constraints do not hinder academically sound students, the University of Ibadan branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-UI) has awarded a total of ₦1.1 million in scholarships to 11 indigent students.
The scholarships were presented on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during an emergency congress of the union, with beneficiaries selected after a screening exercise conducted by a committee chaired by Comrade Ajiboye.
The initiative comprised two awards of ₦200,000 each under the national ASUU scholarship scheme, five additional awards of ₦100,000 each funded by the UI branch, and four awards of ₦50,000 each sponsored by Comrade Prof. Tajudeen Akanbi.
The union said 56 students applied for the scholarships, adding that the initiative reflected its commitment to the welfare of not only its members but also other members of the university community, in line with its constitution.
Olawale Esther Enioluwa, a 300-level student of Archaeology and Anthropology in the Faculty of Arts, emerged as the highest-ranked applicant and received a ₦200,000 award.
Another beneficiary of the national scholarship scheme, Orji Cynthia Adaeze, a 300-level Political Science student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, also received ₦200,000.
Other beneficiaries of the branch-funded scholarships included Dosunmu Mazeedah of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Oyeniyi Oluwaseyi, a 400-level Pharmacy student; Aanuoluwa Adeshewa Mary, a 400-level Physiotherapy student; Jumat Aminat Eniola of Economics; and Olowode Hamzat Temitayo. Each received ₦100,000.
The four students who received awards sponsored by Comrade Prof. Tajudeen Akanbi included Ogundare Marvelous, Williams Happiness and Oladepo Peter Olamide of the Department of Microbiology.
ASUU said the scholarship initiative was part of its broader commitment to ensuring that financially disadvantaged students with strong academic records could access educational opportunities.
The union noted that ASUU branches and individual members across the country support students annually through similar interventions, describing the initiative as an investment by lecturers in the next generation.
It also encouraged the beneficiaries to maintain a relationship with the union and approach it whenever they encountered challenges requiring support.
While presenting his sponsored awards, Comrade Prof. Tajudeen Akanbi said he had decided to sustain the initiative throughout his years of service. He recalled his humble beginnings, saying his father worked as a carpenter while his mother made sacrifices to finance his education.
He said the experience had strengthened his resolve to support students facing financial difficulties in pursuing their academic ambitions.
ASUU-UI also encouraged its members to emulate Akanbi by providing individual sponsorships to support students in need.
Speaking with journalists after receiving her award, Olawale Esther Enioluwa expressed surprise and gratitude, urging other students to take their studies seriously and make academic excellence a priority.
“I was not even expecting it. What I will say to UI students is that they should make sure they take their academics very seriously because the number one thing we came to the university for is academics,” she said.
She thanked ASUU for the recognition and expressed hope that the union would continue to prosper.
Also speaking, Oladepo Peter Olamide appreciated the national leadership and the University of Ibadan branch of ASUU for introducing the scholarship initiative, describing it as an encouragement for students to work harder.
He urged his colleagues to remain committed to their studies so they could take advantage of similar opportunities when they arise.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
