Campus News

UNILORIN, UNHCR, JDPC sign MoU on DAFI scholarship

By Temitope Omoniyi

The University of Ilorin has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and The Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), to support DAFI Scholarship Programme in Nigeria.

This collaboration aims at providing educational opportunities to refugees and returnees in Nigeria, enabling them to pursue and complete higher education as well as acquire skills necessary for their socio-economic empowerment and integration into the society.  

The Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Mr Mansur Alfanla, signed on behalf of the University while the Associate Protection Officer, UNHCR, Nigeria, Mrs Unyime Obioma, signed on behalf UNHCR and Mrs Ireti Disu signed on behalf of JPDC.

Speaking after the MoU signing in his office penultimate Wednesday (May 21, 2025), Mr Alfanla assured the other parties that the University of Ilorin will be fully committed to the MoU and give necessary support to all qualified DAFI scholarship recipients.

In her remarks, the Associate Protection Officer, UNHCR, Nigeria, Mrs Obioma, expressed the commitment of the UNHCR to promote and advocate the 15by30 strategy, which aims at enrolling 15% of refugees globally in higher education by 2030.

She added that as part of its responsibilities, UNHCR will provide financial and logistical support for the implementation of the DAFI Scholarship Programme.

UNHCR is the world’s leading organisation protecting people forced to flee, operating in 136 countries. It protects and assists 119.9 million forcibly displaced and stateless people.

On her part, the representative of the JPDC, Mrs Disu, assured all that JPDC will provide necessary advocacy for the success of the MoU and will continue to monitor its progress.