President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaking at the 2020 convocation and 72nd foundation day celebration of the University of Ibadan on Tuesday, through his representative the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, stated that the Federal Government alone cannot finance universities in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the president, Prof Abubakar Rasheed stated that the private sector should also be involved in financing the universities as the burden is so much on the federal government.
The Prof. encouraged universities to come up with ways to attract the private sectors while also find programs and ways to help the government to reduce poverty and improve the health sector.
Prof. Abubakar Rasheed said,
“It must be noted that the government alone cannot carry the enormous burden of financing education. The private sector must be actively involved in the task of providing quality education for Nigerians.
“I expect that universities will make themselves attractive to the private sector, define their roles and carve out a niche by designing programs that will progressively assist the Government in addressing poverty reduction, improving the health sector.”
The President also charged heads of governing councils of Nigerian universities to take heed against mismanaging the process of appointing vice-chancellors.
He noted,
“Pro-Chancellors, in their dual role as chairpersons of governing councils and chairpersons of the five-person selection committee for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, must be prepared to bear full responsibility for the management or mismanagement of the process.”
