The decision by the Speaker of the Home of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for presidency to broaden funding of universities with rising roles for the non-public sector in analysis funding, has been described as a step in the appropriate course.
Abbas famous that universities globally undertake numerous funding fashions that cut back reliance on authorities allocations.
For example, he said that the UK greater schooling funding is shared responsibly between taxpayers and graduates, with authorities masking about 35 per cent of instructing prices, whereas graduates contribute 65 per cent by tuition and loans.
He stated by emulating profitable funding fashions from the UK, United States and main African universities, Nigerian establishments can cut back dependence on authorities funding, enhance infrastructure and improve analysis capabilities.
Recall that the speaker, had, on the thirty third convocation of the Federal College of Know-how, Minna, Niger State, advocated elevated funding of the establishments, urging mother and father to pay the elevated charges.
In his convocation lecture themed: “From disaster to prosperity: Harnessing know-how to drive Nigeria’s transformation agenda,” Abbas lamented that Nigerian universities are lowly rated globally resulting from poor funding, poor infrastructure, and poor remuneration of lecturers.
Stakeholders agreed that Nigeria is at a crossroad, with regard to funds for universities, insisting that the nation continues to be fumbling at midnight and should make aware effort to get its funding for universities proper.
Reacting to the assertion, a Professor of Transport, Lagos State College (LASU), Samuel Odewumi, lamented that Nigerian universities are grossly underfunded, providing options on what may be executed if these establishments should meet their mandates.
He stated: “Stakeholders should come to phrases with the truth that our current method can’t take us anyplace. For me, the coed mortgage is without doubt one of the methods of tackling the problem. We have to truthfully, with out taking part in to the gallery, focus on this. I anticipated this to be a significant concern of the Minister of Training as a result of no matter coverage is adopted, whether or not 6-3-3-4 or 12-4, funding is vital.
“A state of affairs the place majority of the schools can’t pay their electrical energy invoice is a pointer to how retarded they’re. The Nationwide Meeting must also cease establishing universities as constituency initiatives.”
Odewumi additionally faulted the conversion of polytechnics to universities, saying for a nation in want of technical consultants, Nigeria is definitely toeing the flawed path.
He cited the instance of China that transformed about 100 universities in a single yr to polytechnics to satisfy their wants.
“We’re doing the flawed factor. For each theoretical scientist you prepare, you want about 5 to 10 expert males to work with.
We want a minimum of 10 technicians to at least one graduate. We have to undertake the appropriate funding mannequin for our universities. That is the one method we are able to develop and develop our universities and meet international requirements,” he stated.
Nonetheless, Appearing Dean, Faculty of Library, Archival and Info Science, LASU, Prof. Emmanuel Adebayo, stated although he agreed with the assertion that schooling shouldn’t be completely free due to the quantity of funding concerned, requires improve in college students’ charges must be dealt with with warning due to the ripple impact.
Though he admitted that authorities alone can’t fund schooling, he, nonetheless, famous that any improve right now shall be resisted by the scholars and employees unions.
Adebayo identified that in different climes, particularly in the US, the federal government contributes as little as eight per cent, whereas others, together with alumni, philanthropists, establishments, and spiritual our bodies present about 45 per cent.
“The truth is, Princeton College Alumni contributed 46 per cent of the overall yearly funds in 2021, whereas all the American States did 22.2 per cent in 2022.”
Adebayo additionally supported the decision for the non-public sector to play extra position in funding of universities, saying the US receives greater than $32b value of assist yearly from the non-public sector.
Talking on how the nation’s establishments can enhance their rating, Adebayo stated the parameters, together with the extent of analysis output, share of worldwide college students, employability price, and net visibility, must be concentrated upon.
“When these points are addressed, Nigerian universities will rank properly and keep it,” he stated.
