Agboola said if properly implemented and sustained, the loan scheme would reduce “drastically the number of students who drop out of school yearly” due to financial difficulty.
The VC said this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after his investiture as the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University.
Agboola, a Professor of cancer pathology, said at the OOU no fewer than 2,000 students out of every 10,000 drop out or apply for leave of absence every year for lack of funds.
He urged the government to ensure the implementation and sustenance of the student loan scheme, describing it as a worthy development.
He said, “I used OOU as an example of how students will have access to funding to be able to pursue their careers.
Take, for example, if a student has access to the loan; I’m very sure 2000 of them out of 10,000 would not be applying for leave of absence every year due to lack of funds.
“Out of 10,000 students, I believe that with student loans, the number of students that are dropping out of school yearly as a result of lack of funding will reduce drastically.”
Earlier, Agboola had highlighted the achievements of the 40-year-old varsity, saying OOU has produced over 270,000 graduates.
He also added that the institution has 105 professors and 77 Readers as of June 2023.
He added that the achievements were recorded through innovative strategies, culture of academic excellence, high-impact research, and improved student experience.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Governor Dapo Abiodun, Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, former deputy governor of the state, Gbenga Kaka, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba AbdulRasaq Adenugba, among others.
