NELFUND transforming access to university education – VC
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, has described the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the most significant developments in Nigerian university education, saying its support is already helping students of the institution.
Aribisala disclosed this on Monday in Iyin Ekiti at the university’s maiden press conference, where he outlined the institution’s progress since it commenced academic activities in January 2026.
*Prof. Gbenga Aribisala
Abimbola Joseph
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Prof. Gbenga Aribisala, has described the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the most significant developments in Nigerian university education, saying its support is already helping students of the institution.
Aribisala disclosed this on Monday in Iyin Ekiti at the university’s maiden press conference, where he outlined the institution’s progress since it commenced academic activities in January 2026.
He said a good number of the university’s students were already benefiting from NELFUND, commending President Bola Tinubu for introducing the student loan scheme.
The vice chancellor also commended the President for establishing the university in 2025, describing it as a pioneering institution created to strengthen the production of high-level manpower in technology and environmental sciences.
The university began academic activities with 1,564 students and currently has 35 departments across four faculties: Natural and Applied Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Computing and Information Technology; and Environmental Sciences.
Aribisala said the university planned to introduce Anatomy, Physiology, Nursing and Medicine, as well as programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Telecommunication Science, and Tourism and Hospitality Management.
He said the institution’s development was progressing at both its temporary and permanent sites, while the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board had increased its admission quota to 3,300 in recognition of its development.
According to him, the university has adopted strict admission policies to ensure that only students who meet the required merit criteria are admitted.
Aribisala said the institution’s take-off grant had accelerated its development, funding laboratory equipment, classroom and office furniture, solar power installation and an ongoing 250-capacity information and communication technology building.
He added that student hostels had been completed at the temporary site, while additional accommodation was under construction at the permanent site, alongside TETFund-supported projects covering hostels, offices, lecture theatres, laboratories and workshops.
The vice chancellor said his administration was committed to building a residential, technology-driven university capable of producing graduates who would create jobs and develop solutions to national challenges.
He said the institution also aimed to attract internationally recognised researchers, contribute to the development of its host community and emerge as one of the world’s leading universities within its first decade.
Aribisala said the university had maintained a stable academic calendar, completing its 2025/2026 academic session in August. He said the 2026/2027 session would begin on October 12.
He also assured staff of the university’s commitment to welfare, saying the institution was up to date with the new salaries agreed between the Federal Government and the relevant unions.
On research, Aribisala said the university was prioritising research that addressed emerging technological and environmental challenges.
He disclosed that a team led by Dr Solomon Popoola had secured a National Research Fund grant, while Senator Opeyemi Bamidele had pledged ₦1 billion for research over the next five years.
The university, he added, had established multidisciplinary research groups to attract further grants and was collaborating with Morgan State University in the United States.
Aribisala appealed to individuals and organisations to support the university’s development, particularly in providing facilities for teaching and research, while encouraging prospective public-private partnerships.
