By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
MORE THAN 8,266 students at the Federal University of Kashere (FUK) have received financial lifelines through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with total disbursements exceeding ₦1,073,966,500.
The intervention, described as the most impactful educational support programme in decades, has transformed access to higher education for thousands of learners across Nigeria.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Umaru Pate, revealed the figures during a press briefing ahead of the sixth to ninth combined convocation ceremonies, where diplomas, degrees, prizes, and honorary doctorates are to be awarded.
According to Pate, NELFUND has emerged as a critical pillar in supporting students’ academic progress and wellbeing. He affirmed that the Federal Government fully covered the service charges and upkeep allowances of all beneficiaries at the institution, hailing the initiative as unmatched in scale and significance in the last two decades.
He said the programme is already reshaping the future of the student body and holds promise for wider national impact.
“We’re still confident that many more of our students will be enrolled today, as this programme is assisting students all over Nigeria,” he noted.
Sharing details of graduating students, Pate announced that 6,870 undergraduates will receive their degrees.
Among them, 91 students, representing one per cent of the total, achieved first-class honours in various disciplines.
A further 1,899 earned second class upper degrees, while 3,917 obtained second class lower, and 960 are graduating with third class degrees.
Three students will be awarded pass degrees.
Furthermore, gender distribution shows 4,791 graduates are male, roughly 70 per cent while 2,079 are female.
Pate acknowledged this disparity as an institutional challenge, calling for increased efforts to boost female enrolment and participation in higher education.
He noted that the convocation ceremonies represent a milestone in the university’s history and a moment of recognition for academic excellence, resilience, and national investment in education.
