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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum has called for alternative sources of income to fund universities in Nigeria due to the country’s dwindling resources and mounting debts.
Speaking at one of the lecture series to commemorate 75th anniversary of the University of Ibadan, he emphasised the importance of research and linking research to industries to create a solution that can be sold within and outside the country.
To achieve this, he suggested that universities need to be restructured to become centres of ideas and solutions that attract industrial-scale investments.
Zulum noted that one the solutions could be to introduce fees, but poorly funded academic institutions will produce undereducated and ill-equipped graduates. He added that other options to fund university education should be considered as well.
Zulum, who believes in strong accountability in governance and proper utilisation of resources, leading to better outcomes, said citizenship and leadership are equally important in national growth. He also emphasised rising above narrow perceptions of issues and understanding broader contexts is essential.
Producing well-educated citizens strengthens the possibility of moving Nigeria from potential to actualisation saying Nigeria must translate potential into actualisation to move forward in education, infrastructure, basic services, security, and peace.
Zulum stated that Nigeria has come to a point where it is imperative to graduate from the perpetual position of potential to actual greatness. Every Nigerian, he said, is expected to make informed choices.
With the population of the University of Ibadan rising from less than 500 to 41,743 students in 92 academic departments and 17 faculties, Zulum posed the question of whether Nigeria could provide precisely the same free quality education of previous generations.
“Fees are gradually being introduced to fund higher education adequately. However, better accountability in governance and proper utilization of resources are needed to address other sectors with demands and needs in health, water resources, and food security,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, commended Zulum for his developmental strides in Borno state, noting that records have shown that in his first term as Governor of Borno State, he undertook 564 major projects and completed 70 per cent of them.
Gov. Zulum, according to him has achieved a lot of projects and most of the capital projects were on education, saying: “He built mega secondary schools with 1,500 student capacity and he has contributed immensely to the University of Ibadan, as an alumnus.”
The Chairman of the University of Ibadan 75th Anniversary Committee, Prof Peter Olapegba, said one of the focus of the anniversary centred on ensuring the coming together of the gown and town towards forming a synergy towards providing lasting solutions to societal problems.
