Speaking at a grassroots stakeholders’ engagement over the weekend in Erinkojaobe/Owode community, Ibadan, Hon. Oseni commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he termed a bold and visionary step toward eliminating financial barriers that hinder many brilliant but underprivileged students from accessing tertiary education.
“The student loan scheme is a game-changer,” Oseni remarked. “It reflects the President’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and the long-term development of our nation.”
Reflecting on his personal journey, Hon. Oseni shared how he benefitted from the late Chief Bola Ige’s free education policy in the old Oyo State, launched in 1979. According to him, that opportunity altered the course of his life.
“I had already made plans to travel to Lagos to learn meat trading,” he recounted. “But God, through Chief Bola Ige’s free education programme, changed my story. I was enrolled at Akufo Community Secondary School without paying a single kobo. That access to education paved the way for me to become an engineer.”
A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Oseni stated that his experiences continue to fuel his commitment to education and grassroots development—an ethos that predates his time in office.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Idowu Ayodele, the Remi Oseni Education Support Scheme has so far provided tangible support to no fewer than 1,053 indigent but academically gifted students through free West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration since 2024. An additional 1,206 students have received support for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.
“This year alone, the scheme extended support to students in Igbeti, where WAEC fees were fully paid for about 200 candidates. Many of these students have already passed their examinations and secured admission into tertiary institutions,” the statement noted.
Beyond exam sponsorships, the scheme offers scholarships, bursaries, and tuition assistance to students in higher institutions across Oyo State. Hon. Oseni has also personally funded the renovation of schools, facilitated the construction of new classroom blocks, and distributed essential educational materials.
“Without God and education, I would not be where I am today,” Oseni emphasized. “That is why education remains at the heart of my constituency projects. It is the most enduring legacy we can leave for the next generation.”
As NELFUND continues to gain momentum—with over 500,000 applications already processed from the 600,000 students who have registered—Hon. Oseni expressed confidence that the initiative will serve as a critical lifeline for thousands of young Nigerians striving to further their education.
“President Tinubu has shown a deep commitment to building a knowledge-based economy,” he concluded. “As someone who has lived the transformative power of education, I assure my constituents that more support is on the way.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the 13 Joint Communities, Rotarian Afolabi Salisu, praised Hon. Oseni for his developmental strides and people-centric leadership style. He described the lawmaker as “a promise keeper” and “a true representative of the people,” commending his continued engagement with grassroots communities and dedication to inclusive governance.
