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The Federation of Oyo State Students’ Unions (FOSSU) has declared its total support for the presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing his leadership style and governance model as one that deserves to be adopted at the national level.
The union, which is the umbrella body of all Oyo State indigenous students in tertiary institutions across the country, also commended the Oyo State Government for the timely rollout and expansion of its bursary awards for final-year students, describing the intervention as a bold and critical investment in human capital development and student welfare.
The declaration was made on Wednesday by the National President of FOSSU, Aare Ahmed Mufutau, during a well-attended press briefing held at the Conference Centre, Ministry of Education, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.
Mufutau said education remains the most potent driver of national development and must remain central to government priorities, adding that Governor Makinde has demonstrated uncommon commitment to that ideal through consistent and practical support for students at all levels.
He specifically praised the state government for opening the portal for the 2026 General Bursary Awards for final-year students of Oyo State origin in all public higher institutions across Nigeria, noting that the gesture could not have come at a better time.
According to him, the inclusion of final-year students in Colleges of Education in the scheme is particularly commendable and thoughtful, as final-year students often face enormous financial pressures ranging from final year research work, academic projects, departmental and faculty clearance, and other graduation-related expenses.
Providing a breakdown of the scheme, Mufutau disclosed that under the 2026 edition, final-year students in Clinical Sciences, Aeronautics and Aviation will receive N500,000 each, while university undergraduates will receive N200,000 each. Higher National Diploma (HND) students will get N150,000 each, and final-year Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) students will receive N100,000 each.
He revealed that about 5,000 final-year students are expected to benefit from this year’s intervention, a significant leap from the 2,600 beneficiaries recorded last year. He added that the state government has also consistently paid N500,000 bursary to Oyo State indigenes in the Nigerian Law School for six consecutive years without default.
The FOSSU President expressed profound appreciation to Governor Makinde for approving the expansion of the bursary scheme and commended the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Hon. Victor Olojede, for his sustained engagement, accessibility and unwavering commitment to student matters in the state.
Mufutau urged all eligible students of Oyo State origin to prepare their necessary documents and register promptly once the bursary portal opens on Monday, October 12, 2026, adding that registration will close on November 1, 2026. He warned students to be wary of fraudsters and to avoid patronizing unofficial registration links, unverified agents and misinformation on social media, advising them to rely solely on official channels for authentic updates.
He also used the opportunity to congratulate teachers in Oyo State and across the country on the recent World Teachers’ Day celebration, describing them as the bedrock of educational development.
Declaring the union’s political stance ahead of 2027, Mufutau said FOSSU and other indigenous student bodies in the state will mobilize massively for Governor Makinde’s presidential ambition, stating that his performance as Governor is a clear pointer to what he will achieve as President.
“Someone who has done so much as Governor will definitely do better as President. We are declaring our support on behalf of all Oyo State indigenous students and other indigenous bodies. We will mobilize and work for his success in the 2027 election,” Mufutau declared.
Corroborating the position of the union, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Hon. Victor Olojede, said Governor Makinde’s governance model in Oyo State has redefined education and student welfare, stressing that if replicated at the national level, it would reset Nigeria and reposition the country for greatness.
Olojede listed some of the administration’s landmark achievements in the education sector to include the abolition of the N3,000 public secondary school fee imposed by the previous administration, massive recruitment of teachers across primary and secondary schools, distribution of textbooks and learning materials, provision of furniture, and the return of thousands of out-of-school children to classrooms.
“No student would have a reason not to be in school under this government. This government loves Nigerian students at all levels, and your support for Engineer Seyi Makinde will not be swept under the carpet. We believe strongly that if Governor Makinde becomes President, we are going to reset Nigeria. This government has proved that we can support students,” Olojede said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Makinde administration to continue prioritizing education and student welfare as central pillars of development and assured students that more interventions are underway.
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