From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
In a crucial announcement made at the University of Ibadan’s 75th Anniversary and 2023 Convocation ceremonies, President Bola Tinubu, declared the reversal of the implementation of payment of 40 percent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from Nigerian universities to the government.
President Tinubu acknowledged that the timing of this policy implementation is inappropriate, considering the current circumstances. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the education sector and emphasized the importance of innovation and curriculum reform in achieving educational objectives.
The government’s plan to implement the deduction from November 2023 had raised concerns among university authorities, who fear the negative repercussions it may have on the quality of education.
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities had some days ago sent a protest letter to the Federal Government, requesting a reversal of the decision to deduct 40 per cent of federal universities’ IGR. The Secretary-General of the Committee, Yakubu Ochefu, argued that the demand was unjustified, particularly as autonomy has not been granted to the universities.
Ochefu emphasised that universities operate without generating surpluses, relying primarily on student fees, and any enforced deduction would invariably affect parents.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), following its national executive council (NEC) meeting on Monday, this week, also kicked against the 40 per cent payment to the Federal Government from IGR of universities.
Tinubu, who was represented by Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, also highlighted the government’s efforts to address the issue of out-of-school children by reintroducing skills training and implementing student loans to ensure that poverty does not hinder anyone’s access to education.
He expressed his administration’s willingness to tackle issues affecting the welfare of university staff and address the factors leading to industrial disputes. He recognized the significant impact of education on national development and promised to support Nigerian universities’ global visibility.
Tinubu added that the government is determined to resolve industrial disputes that have plagued universities in the past. He emphasised the importance of higher education in driving innovation and development and stressed that councils have been established to bring innovation and revive the education sector, including curriculum reviews across all levels.
He said: “the Federal Government is bring in more innovation to reform the entire education sector for curriculum review at all levels from primary to basic education with the reintroduction of skills to attend to out-of-school menace.”
The president noted that the introduction of students’ loans was to ensure that no students were left out of education due to poverty..
“We are not just making the announcement but we are celebrating the legacy, knowledge progress, and impact that have profoundly shaped the path of education and development in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the administration’s priority is the academic role for 2063, aiming to produce well-educated citizens empowered by skills and capable of significant industrial evolution driven by science, technology, and innovation.
“Councils for the universities have been constituted as part of the government’s efforts to bring innovation and revive the education sector, including curriculum reviews across all levels from primary to tertiary education.”
The Chancellor of UI and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, congratulated the University of Ibadan on its exceptional achievements over the last 75 years. He urged the university to reflect on its impact on communities and emphasized the role of universities in producing quality graduates to salvage the state of public service.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, addressed the graduands, urging them not to rest on their laurels. He revealed that a total of 6,865 graduands received first degrees, while others were awarded Academic Masters Degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and a significant number received Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
“The university will not relent in its resolve to be the flagship of postgraduate studies in the nation,” Adebowale said.
Four Nigerians were awarded honorary doctoral degrees, they are Dr Daisy Danjuma, Dr Abdusamad Rabiu, Dr Kessington Adebutu and Dr Solomon Oladunni.