The National Union Of Lagos State students, Lagos State University Chapter have given the Lagos State Scholarship board 14 days Ultimatum to pay Bursary and Scholarship.

The executives of the chapter visited the board on Tuesday, which was meant to stand as both a courtesy and consultation visit to the scholarship board, had in attendance the PRO of the board, Director of Scholarship, Director of Admin, Director Of bursary, Admin staff amongst others.

The first issue raised by the visiting team ably led by Comr. Eleto, jubril olorunsegun, who also doubles as the president of NULASS-LASU, was the late payment of bursary and scholarship for the 2018/2019, 2019/2020 session.

The Executive secretary (Mr Omotayo Fakoyejo), however, on behalf Of Lagos State Government, apologized for the delay and assured that the payment would be made as soon as possible. He further stated that the payment which would be made available soon would only cater for fresh beneficiary for 2018/2019 session and subsequent benficiary for the 2018/2019, 2019/2020 session because forms were not rolled out for fresh beneficiary for the 2019/2020 session due to the pandemic.

In essence, only fresh and subsequent beneficiary for the 2018/2019 would get paid for both 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 session.

Stating further, he also mentioned that since he assumed office as the ES of the board, he has been working tirelessly on how to fast-track payment for both bursary and scholarship owed in arrears, but cannot start payment until approval is sorted for disbursement. While also addressing the unpaid bursary and scholarship issue, he stated, categorically, that the payment for the 2018/2019 session is incubating but there’s no assurance that it’ll be paid alongside that of 2019/2020 session, simultaneously.

The visiting team (NULASS LASU), while discussing with the ES, gave a reference to the twitter post by the Special Advicer on Education - Mr Tokunbo Wahab to the Governor, where he stated that bursary for 8,246 students and scholarship for 845 students have been paid, which was announced earlier this year.

Another reference from the twitter page of the SA to the Governor on education states that an increase has been made on the Lagos State bursary. Mr Omotayo (The ES) then stated that once the increase has been effected on the approval given, then they can begin disbursement, else, they have no changes to the former payment.

He, alongside his team, also made it known that subsequent sales of form for both bursary and scholarship would only be made ONLINE, henceforth - No more queuing and traveling long distance to get the form, as it would only be sold online. It was also proposed that interviews for bursary and scholarship may be made via zoom because of the distance barrier for some NULASSITE, provided they can get all the required documents scanned online. {It was only a proposed idea though}.


In addendum, the visiting team also made it clear that the delay in the payment of bursary and scholarship has caused many not to apply since they see no reason for applying when they may not get the funds on time, as at when due. The ES then implore the union to encourage NULASSITE to obtain the forms as soon as it’s out and also help them out with necessary requirements which will make the process seamless and stress-free.


On a final note, Mr Omotayo gave an assurance that the payment of the bursary and scholarship would be made very soon, subject to approval.
However, he stated that a message would be sent across to all fresh beneficiary of the 2018/2019 bursary and scholarship by next week, to fill their details online in preparation for payment of both subsequent and fresh beneficiary - {This is a good but delayed signal for payment}.

The visiting team ably led by Comr. Eleto, Olorunsegun jubril then gave the Lagos State Scholarship board an ULTIMATUM of 14days for the disbursement of payments, else, we would not hesitate to exercise our civil rights, diplomatically.

The ES advised that we go ahead with whatever we have in mind if after the 14days ULTIMATUM elapses and nothing is done, but it should be done in a diplomatic and chaos-free way.