The Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) has lamented the inability of the nation’s universities to generate what it described as serious endowment fund and investments capable of financing its recurrent expenditure needs.
The commission admonished vice chancellors of tertiary institutions to “begin to see fundraising and mobilisation as an integral part of their jobs in response to the realities of today.”
Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed disclosed this on Tuesday, while speaking as a guest lecturer at an academic colloquium in honour of University of Benin (UNIBEN) staffs appointed as heads of Federal and State Government parastatals in Nigeria.
The NUC boss, who was represented at the occasion by a director at the NUC, Dr Suleiman Yusuf, said thinking outside of the box required developing skills and engaging in activities which link the more rational left-brain thought processes with the more creative right brain.
Speaking at the lecture entitled, “Nigerian Universities, Thinking Outside the Box to Embrace Innovative and Positive Change,” Prof. Rasheed advocated that universities should strive to build high reputation in order to command the respect of the larger society.
He said, “The critical thinking skills which universities are expected to instigate in their students constitute a critical component of the arsenal required if the Nigeria Universities system is to live up to expectations in leading the way in our quest for innovation and positive change.
“Each academic programme in a university must pay attention to; and incorporate within its curriculum; the commercial and industrial needs and focus of its discipline,” he stated.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, said the university is a resource-based institution; because according to him, about 17 staff have been appointed into high level positions between 2015 and 2016.
Among those honoured were the vice chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Prof. Akii Ibhadode; provost, College of Education, Warri, Prof (Mrs) Mary Edema; vice chancellor of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, Prof. Friday Okonofua, and others.