The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Uchenna Ortuanya, has disclosed that 7,201 students of the institution have benefited from the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while expressing concern over the low level of participation by students from the South-East.
Speaking during a press briefing ahead of the university’s 55th Convocation Ceremony in Enugu, Professor Ortuanya described the education loan scheme as a valuable initiative aimed at expanding access to higher education.
He, however, lamented that the South-East remains the lowest geopolitical zone in accessing the programme and urged students to take advantage of the opportunity to support their academic pursuits.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced that 12,895 graduates would receive various academic degrees during the convocation, including 10,641 first degrees and 2,944 postgraduate degrees, comprising 1,390 Doctorate degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees, and 214 Postgraduate Diplomas.
He further revealed that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, alongside three other distinguished Nigerians, would receive honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of their outstanding contributions to leadership, public service and human development.
Professor Ortuanya highlighted achievements recorded during his eleven months in office, including the increase in the university’s admission quota for Medicine from 180 to 400 students and Dentistry from 15 to 60 students following approval by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He added that the National Universities Commission has approved the unbundling of the Mass Communication Department into five specialised degree programmes.
The Vice-Chancellor also listed ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including the reconstruction of roads, rehabilitation of hostels, renovation of the abandoned 100-room Zik’s Flats in Nsukka, staff promotions, and expanded international partnerships with institutions in Sweden, Taiwan, China, South Africa and the United States.
Professor Ortuanya noted that the reforms have contributed to improving the university’s ranking, with UNN now ranked among Nigeria’s leading universities and one of the top institutions in Africa.
