The University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UI SU) has successfully disbursed ₦820,000 in bursaries to 41 students from 15 faculties, following its recent efforts to crowdfund ₦50 million for tuition support.
The bursary, distributed on September 27, comes as a relief to many students facing financial difficulties due to the recent hike in school fees.
Earlier in September, the UI SU leadership, under the banner of Team Amelioration, made a public appeal to raise ₦50 million within four days to support 500 students. The campaign, which garnered significant attention on social media, was aimed at preventing students from dropping out due to financial hardship.
However, despite widespread online support, the crowdfunding campaign only raised ₦225,200, far below the target. UI SU President Aweda Bolaji, speaking during the bursary distribution event, expressed disappointment at the outcome but emphasized that the Union had reached out to various individuals and faculty presidents to help meet the needs of students.
“We were trending, but the donations didn’t come through as expected. The time constraints pushed us to seek other sources of support,” he explained.
The Union’s swift action to collaborate with faculty presidents resulted in the nomination of students from each faculty to receive the bursary. While the original goal of assisting 500 students was not met, the disbursement to 41 students has nonetheless provided much-needed relief.
“The bursary is a welcome intervention,” said one of the beneficiaries, adding that many students were at risk of not completing their registration due to financial difficulties.
Despite the shortfall in funds, Bolaji provided an update on the broader tuition payment process, noting that approximately 15,000 students had completed their payments and registration as of the end of the semester break, up from 9,000 before the break. He also mentioned that the Union had reached out to organizations such as NELFUND to provide additional support for students.
