Address funding challenges facing Nigeria’s public varsities, Gbajabiamila charges stakeholders

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has urged stakeholders in the education sector to Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has urged stakeholders in the education sector to take urgent action in addressing the funding challenges facing Nigeria’s public universities.

This was as he called on both the federal and state governments to establish alternative revenue streams for universities to provide quality education to young people.

Gbajabiamila said failure to address the challenges may lead to a future where public universities become mere diploma mills instead of the citadel of learning and innovation that the young people deserve.

The Chief of Staff stated this while delivering a lecture titled “Interrogating the Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives” at the first University of Osun, UNIOSUN, annual lecture held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus of the institution, Osogbo, Osun State.

“Whilst we must remain dedicated to the idea of ensuring university education for all who desire it, we can no longer escape the reality that unless urgent action is taken to address existing and expected funding challenges, we are in an accelerated trend towards a future where our public universities become mere diploma mills, instead of citadels of learning and innovation.

“There are over 130 public universities nationwide, and almost 2 million young people seek admission annually. The truth is that neither the federal government nor the states can afford to sustain this number without establishing alternative revenue streams for the institutions.”

Gbajabiamila said Nigerian universities should look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students, noting universities around the world bank on foreign students to subsidize education for their indigenes.

“The financial contributions of international students are a significant revenue stream for universities worldwide, helping to subsidize university education for the citizens of those countries.

“Public universities in Nigeria can and should also look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students willing and able to pay fees that might otherwise be practically and politically inexpedient for native students.

“Government and various stakeholders in the public university system must ask what makes universities in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, and in all other places where millions of Nigerians have moved to over the years to seek education attractive?”

Gbajabiamila said stakeholders must jointly develop multi-dimensional, implementable plans to address those issues systematically and consistently over a definite period.

He added that it will require a dramatic and sustained increase in quality across the board if Nigerian universities must compete favorably with other global universities.

“For our universities to compete favorably in this arena will require a dramatic and sustained increase in quality across the board. It will also require reforms of curriculum and teaching methods, investments to ensure technology access, and comfortable and suitable lodgings, amongst others.

“Above all else, it would require us to embrace a culture of zero tolerance for unethical conduct and a coordinated effort to eradicate such ills as plagiarism, cultism, and sexual harassment from our universities. We must establish a culture of excellence within our public university system.”

The governor of the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke, while commending the leadership of the university, assured the institution of his administration’s support.

He said, “On our part, I assure the Governing Council, Management, staff, and all students of our support. This is why we are always quick to approve any proposal or request from the Council.”

This was as he called on both the federal and state governments to establish alternative revenue streams for universities to provide quality education to young people.

Gbajabiamila said failure to address the challenges may lead to a future where public universities become mere diploma mills instead of the citadel of learning and innovation that the young people deserve.

The Chief of Staff stated this while delivering a lecture titled “Interrogating the Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives” at the first University of Osun, UNIOSUN, annual lecture held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus of the institution, Osogbo, Osun State.

“Whilst we must remain dedicated to the idea of ensuring university education for all who desire it, we can no longer escape the reality that unless urgent action is taken to address existing and expected funding challenges, we are in an accelerated trend towards a future where our public universities become mere diploma mills, instead of citadels of learning and innovation.

“There are over 130 public universities nationwide, and almost 2 million young people seek admission annually. The truth is that neither the federal government nor the states can afford to sustain this number without establishing alternative revenue streams for the institutions.”

Gbajabiamila said Nigerian universities should look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students, noting universities around the world bank on foreign students to subsidize education for their indigenes.

“The financial contributions of international students are a significant revenue stream for universities worldwide, helping to subsidize university education for the citizens of those countries.

“Public universities in Nigeria can and should also look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students willing and able to pay fees that might otherwise be practically and politically inexpedient for native students.

“Government and various stakeholders in the public university system must ask what makes universities in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, and in all other places where millions of Nigerians have moved to over the years to seek education attractive?”

Gbajabiamila said stakeholders must jointly develop multi-dimensional, implementable plans to address those issues systematically and consistently over a definite period.

He added that it will require a dramatic and sustained increase in quality across the board if Nigerian universities must compete favorably with other global universities.

“For our universities to compete favorably in this arena will require a dramatic and sustained increase in quality across the board. It will also require reforms of curriculum and teaching methods, investments to ensure technology access, and comfortable and suitable lodgings, amongst others.

“Above all else, it would require us to embrace a culture of zero tolerance for unethical conduct and a coordinated effort to eradicate such ills as plagiarism, cultism, and sexual harassment from our universities. We must establish a culture of excellence within our public university system.”

The governor of the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke, while commending the leadership of the university, assured the institution of his administration’s support.

He said, “On our part, I assure the Governing Council, Management, staff, and all students of our support. This is why we are always quick to approve any proposal or request from the Council.”