The vice chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, Professor Oluwole Sikiru Banjo, has appealed to the state government to consider increasing the university’s subvention in light of its current funding challenges.
Banjo made the appeal on Wednesday as part of his address at the university’s 16th convocation ceremonies.
He, however, noted that government funding alone is insufficient to meet the growing needs of higher education, and therefore also appealed to various stakeholders—alumni, private individuals, corporate organizations, and parents—to assist the best way they could.
Banjo also spoke of the urgent need for increased investment in facilities, research equipment, and technology to ensure the quality of education the university aspires to deliver.
“Therefore, we earnestly appeal to Your Excellency (Governor Dapo Abiodun) to consider increasing the university’s subvention. This will enable the institution to adequately meet its obligations,” he said.
While announcing that this year’s convocation would be his last as TASUED’s vice chancellor, Professor Banjo ran down some of the achievements of the university under his watch.
“As vice-chancellor, I have embraced transparent and accountable governance. Working alongside our governing council, we have strengthened the university’s financial standing, diversified our sources of funding, and instituted policies for sustainable growth,” he said.
Particularly, Banjo said one of the most notable accomplishments of his administration is the introduction of seven new academic programmes designed to meet emerging global demands and local needs.
He also noted that a total of 28 inaugural lectures had been presented since the inception of the university and that 22 of them were hosted during his tenure across various disciplines.
He also cited the installation of an Independent Power Project to supply uninterrupted power supply; the completion of the Science Laboratory Complex; and the completion of the University Health Centre extension – all of which were earlier commissioned by the governor, among others.
The pro-chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, in his address, commended the state government “for the regular release of its subvention to the university.”
He, however, noted that the subvention allocated to the university is no longer adequate for its needs.
“I like to call on Your Excellency to assist us in reviewing the subvention upwards to enable us to take care of the new salary structure arising from the new minimum wage recently approved for workers in the state,” he said.
A total of 32 graduands obtained first-class honours at the event, while Abdulateef Adedamola Adedeji from the Department of Mathematics emerged as the overall best-graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.91.
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