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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has retracted its earlier criticism of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, over comments attributed to her on university tuition and funding.
NANS said further clarification and fact-finding had established that Olatunji-Bello did not advocate the imposition of a minimum N1 million tuition fee on students or the commercialisation of public university education, contrary to its earlier claim.
The association, in a statement signed by its President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, consequently withdrew its earlier statement titled, “N1 Million Minimum Tuition Fees: Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello Goofed.”
“We have been able to establish that her position was misconstrued and that the widely circulated interpretation of her statement did not represent the context and intent of her position,” NANS said.
The association explained that Olatunji-Bello’s position was that quality university education required adequate funding, while the cost of providing such education was significantly higher than what public universities currently charged.
According to NANS, the former vice-chancellor also emphasised the need for universities to pursue financial sustainability through innovation and diversified revenue streams.
“The position of Professor Olatunji-Bello was not a call to commercialise education or an advocacy for public universities to impose a minimum tuition fee of N1 million on students.
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“Rather, her position was that the delivery of quality university education requires adequate funding and that the cost of providing quality education is significantly higher than what public universities currently charge.
“She emphasised the need for universities to pursue financial self-sustainability through innovation and diversified revenue streams,” the association said.
NANS acknowledged that its initial reaction was based on an interpretation that did not fully reflect the former vice-chancellor’s position.
“Consequently, we wish to unequivocally retract our earlier press statement titled ‘N1 Million Minimum Tuition Fees: Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello Goofed.’
“We withdraw the contents and conclusions contained therein and regret the misrepresentation of the position of Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello arising from our earlier publication,” it said.
The association, however, maintained its commitment to accessible and affordable education for Nigerian students, while acknowledging the financial challenges confronting universities.
“While we remain firmly committed to accessible, affordable and quality education for all Nigerian students, we equally recognise the need for adequate funding, sustainability, innovation and alternative revenue-generation mechanisms within our universities,” NANS said.
