The Federation of Oyo State Students’ Unions (FOSSU) has declared its support for Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections, describing his administration in the state as a governance model that deserves to be replicated at the national level.
FOSSU Backs Makinde For 2027
The union also commended the Oyo State Government for expanding its bursary intervention for final-year students, describing the initiative as a significant investment in education and human capital development.
National President of FOSSU, Aare Ahmed Mufutau, made the declaration on Wednesday during a press briefing held at the Conference Centre, Ministry of Education, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.
FOSSU: Makinde Has Earned Our Support
Mufutau said the students’ body was impressed by what he described as the governor’s achievements in Oyo State, particularly in the education sector.
Declaring FOSSU’s support for Makinde’s presidential ambition, he said: “Someone who has done so much as governor will definitely do better as President.”
He added that the union would mobilise support for Makinde and work towards his success in the 2027 election.
According to him, the declaration was made on behalf of Oyo State indigenous students and other indigenous bodies in the state.
The endorsement comes as political activities and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum across the country.
Students Applaud Expanded 2026 Bursary Scheme
The FOSSU president particularly praised the Oyo State Government for opening the 2026 General Bursary Awards for final-year students of Oyo State origin studying in public higher institutions across Nigeria.
He described the intervention as timely, noting that students in their final year often face substantial financial demands associated with research, academic projects, clearance and other graduation-related expenses.
Mufutau said education remained a major driver of national development and urged governments at all levels to make student welfare a priority.
He also commended the inclusion of final-year students in Colleges of Education in the expanded bursary scheme.
Up To ₦500,000 For Eligible Final-Year Students
Under the 2026 bursary scheme, final-year students in Clinical, Aeronautics and Aviation programmes will receive ₦500,000 each, while university undergraduates will receive ₦200,000.
Higher National Diploma (HND) students are expected to receive ₦150,000, while final-year National Certificate in Education (NCE) students will receive ₦100,000.
Mufutau disclosed that about 5,000 final-year students are expected to benefit from the 2026 intervention, representing a significant increase from the 2,600 beneficiaries recorded last year.
He further revealed that the state government had consistently paid ₦500,000 bursary support to Oyo State indigenes in Law School for six consecutive years.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for approving the expansion of the bursary scheme.
The FOSSU President also commended the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Hon. Victor Olojede, for what he described as sustained engagement with students in the state.
Bursary Portal Opens October 12
Mufutau urged eligible students to prepare their documents and register promptly when the bursary portal opens on Monday, October 12, 2026.
He said registration would close on November 1, 2026, urging eligible beneficiaries not to wait until the final days before completing the process.
He also warned students against patronising unofficial registration links or relying on unverified information.
According to him, students should obtain updates only through official channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent registration platforms.
FOSSU Congratulates Oyo Teachers
The students’ body also congratulated teachers in Oyo State on the recent celebration of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.
Mufutau stressed the important role teachers play in shaping the future of students and, by extension, the development of society.
He said government policies aimed at improving education and supporting students should therefore be complemented by measures that strengthen the teaching profession.
Olojede: Makinde’s Model Can Reset Nigeria
Corroborating FOSSU’s position, Olojede said the governance model being implemented by Governor Makinde in Oyo State could be replicated at the national level.
He identified the abolition of the ₦3,000 public secondary school fee, massive recruitment of teachers, distribution of learning materials and efforts to return out-of-school children to classrooms among the administration’s major achievements in education.
According to him, the government’s interventions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that financial challenges do not prevent children and young people from accessing education.
“No student would have a reason not to be in school. This government loves Nigerian students at all levels, and your support for Governor ‘Seyi Makinde will not be swept under the carpet,” Olojede said.
He added: “We believe strongly that, if Governor Makinde becomes President, we are going to reset Nigeria. This government has proved that we can support students.”
The FOSSU endorsement and the expanded bursary programme have consequently placed both Governor Makinde’s 2027 political ambition and his administration’s education interventions at the centre of the students’ union’s latest engagement with the Oyo State Government.
