THE “BEGGING BOWL’’ AND UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN STUDENTS IN WARTIME, 1967-1970
THE “BEGGING BOWL’’ AND UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN STUDENTS IN WARTIME, 1967-1970

Summary/Abstract: The Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, has been one of the most pivotal periods in Nigeria's history. It not only represents a challenging part of history but also presents an interesting basis from which to develop a sequential historical narrative that would enable to understand our direction as a nation. With the country's dwindling financial situation resulting from the war, the number of those who could not afford university tuition increased. This brought to the fore the university's inability to support indigent students, as was the usual practice before the war in Ibadan, when students were supported with a Special Loan Fund and scholarships from either their state of origin or the Federal Government of Nigeria. However, with the lack of funds, it became apparent that many brilliant minds would wither away due to a lack of financial support. This, to a large extent, led indigent students to source funds, prompting the University authorities to recommend students to the Federal Military Government for assistance, which ultimately led to the establishment of the Indigent Students’ Scheme. This paper interrogates the plight of the students with reference to the University of Ibadan during the Nigerian Civil War. This paper, drawing on primary and secondary sources, cross-examines the letters of request for loans submitted to the University authority, the Federal Military Government, and their respective states of origin. This paper examines how the establishment of the Indigent Student Scheme alleviated the suffering of the indigent students during the war.

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