The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Olabisi Onabanjo University chapter, has awarded scholarships worth N6.2m to 31 indigent students of the institution.

Chairperson of ASUU, OOU chapter, Dr Ganiyu Yinusa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the initiative aligns with the union’s sustained commitment to equity, expanded access to education and student welfare.

According to Yinusa, each of the beneficiary received N200,000, bringing the total value of the scholarship intervention to N6.2m.

“The financial support is intended to assist the students in the payment of school fees and other approved charges for the 2025/2026 academic session, to ease the financial burden on those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds,” he said.

He further explained that the Indigent Students Scholarship Scheme was funded largely through voluntary donations of sitting allowances accrued from several University Council meetings by internal members of the University Council, complemented by direct financial contributions from ASUU–OOU branch.

Yinusa noted that the gesture reflects a collective sense of responsibility, solidarity and commitment to the welfare of students within the university community.

The Chairperson disclosed that the scholarship scheme forms part of ASUU’s broader commitment to promoting inclusive education, preventing student drop-out due to financial hardship and supporting academic excellence.

The union reaffirmed its belief that no qualified student should be denied access to university education on the basis of financial constraints.

ASUU commended the internal members of the University Council for voluntarily donating their sitting allowances earned over several meetings, describing the gesture as a rare and commendable demonstration of personal sacrifice in support of education and human capital development.

The union congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their academic pursuits, noting that the scholarship serves both as a support mechanism and a call to excellence.

The Union further stated that the intervention reinforces ASUU’s role not only as a defender of staff welfare and university autonomy but also as a key stakeholder in student development, social justice and sustainable access to quality education within the Nigerian university system.