University Education: Government Alone Cannot Do The Funding – Tinubu Tells Stakeholders

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for counterpart funding for University education, saying that University education is capital-intensive and stakeholders have a role to play.

The President said this today in his address delivered during the 33rd Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, held at the School Campus.

According to him, supporting higher education in research areas will boost educational qualities in terms of research and development, adding that graduands would be certified not only for their academic standing, but also for being worthy in character.

The President who was represented by Professor King-David Terna YAWE, said, “We are all aware that University education is capital-intensive. For adequate funding, all the stakeholders have a role to play. Suffice to say that Government alone cannot do the funding.

He therefore called on the organized private sector operators and international partners to collaborate with universities and research institutes in the areas of research funding and utilization of research outputs for national integration and development.

He assures that such step will also rub on graduates in the areas of value addition, experience, hands-on training, exposure and less expenditure on employees’ engagement and training. “If this kind of learning environment is achieved, we will definitely have students who will be well focused, eschew all forms of violence and other anti-social behaviours. He urged the new graduands to know that now that they have been certified, for their academic standing, and also for being worthy in character.

He also called on all the Unions in the Universities to cooperate with the Government in order to deliver the needed development by ensuring an atmosphere of peace and tranquility around campuses. Noting that, “we will ensure that motivational activities are put in place to ensure improved productivity. 

Also, “he counselled University Managements to reciprocate actions expected from universities as Government is working hard to raise the bar of conducive teaching and learning environment.

Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, said, “the University, through the Centre for Research and Development (CERAD), has attracted and managed over One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) national and international research grants between 2021 – 2023, involving Scholars and postgraduate students. 

“She added that CERAD has been offering support for the development of research for active staff through award of funds for capacity building and provision of research-supportive environment.

He however, called for more funding, from donors in place of provision of laboratory equipment and other learning materials; award of doctoral and post-doctoral scholarship and fellowships for staff; provision of lecture halls and laboratories with ultra-modern facilities; Institution of prizes and awards for outstanding students and staff; provision of students hostels under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Agreement as well as the Provision of buses for student field trips.