FG urged to include private varsities in TETFUND

THE Vice-chancellor, Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, Venerable Professor Uche Isiugo-Abanife, has appealed to Federal and State Governments to enlarge the coverage of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to include private universities in the country.

He made the appeal to his office in Awka, yesterday, while briefing journalists on the activities to mark the forthcoming convocation ceremony of the University.

Professor Isiugo-Abanife who explained that private universities partner with the government in providing employment and education to a large population in their catchment areas regretted those private Universities have been denied government support such as one given by TETFUND for structures and research.

He hinted that in the current situation where only twenty-five percent of applicants get admitted into the Nigerian University system, it makes good sense for the government to support private Universities which in turn will serve to reduce their tuition and further increase enrolment.

Abanife explained further that there are about one hundred and fifty-five Universities in the country at present, and all according to him, have the capacity to carry about six hundred thousand students in the country hence, he called for government to accord some support to private universities as partners in progress in order to improve the  Education sector, he said.