New varsities, a step in a wrong direction —UI VC

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has called for the adequate funding of the existing universities in the country, describing the proposed six new additional universities as a step in a wrong direction.

Adewole, while delivering Ilesha Grammar School 77th Founder’s Day lecture entitled “Reflection on Higher Education in Nigeria,” said government should concentrate on strengthening the existing higher institutions rather than thinking of establishing additional ones.

To buttress his point, the VC cited South Africa, which he said had fewer tertiary institutions but higher student enrolment than Nigeria, adding, “even Cairo has over 500,000 student population with fewer tertiary institutions compared to Nigeria.”

Adewole, who reviewed various problems bedeviling higher institutions in the country, listed some ideas that could assist in resolving the problems. These problems, he said, included curriculum review and repackaging of academic programmes to reflect modern trend and societal and industrial demands.

The VC, who called for a raise in the quality of education by aligning it with the international standards, stated that government should grant full autonomy to the tertiary institutions including admission processes.

Adewole, whose lecture drew an intermittent applause from the elated gathering, observed that a technically absurd system that allowed private universities to charge N750,000 while federally universities were not allowed to charge tuition fee was not good enough.

He said, “Funding for tertiary institutions should not be subject to mopping once the money is allocated. Government should allow the institution to have access to the money without time limit.”

He also called on government to honour its agreement with staff on campus in order to eliminate wastes due to strike actions, pointing out that there must be a deliberate commitment towards raising the quality of education in the country.

Adewole advocated leadership capacity building and international exposure for tertiary managers that would focus on governance, strategic leadership management, conflict resolution, corporate financing and change management among others.

He said that this would have a positive impact on education.