By Samson Oladejo
An educationist and Professor of Chemistry, Prof. Olusegun Odunola has decried marginalisation of private Universities in Nigeria by government, saying it is insensitive and unfair the way government treated private Universities compare to their counterpart in public sector.
He stated that considering the contributions of these private Universities to Nigerian economy and her education development, they deserve same treatment as been giving to their counterpart in state and federal owned Universities.
Speaking on a radio program “Frontline” at Eagle 102.5 FM, Odunola, who is the Vice Chancellor, Hallmark University, Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State said unfair treatment and marginalisation of private Universities at time affects operations of the Universities in delivering quality education to it’s students.
According to him, Committee of Vice Chancellors and Registrar of private Universities already have a paper on that to look into some education policies of government that is not favourable to private Universities and way out.
Odunola while speaking on “Higher education in Nigeria, the challenges and contributions of private Universities” stated that higher education is the same either private or public Universities, adding that though they might be different in nature but their challenges are similar in reality.
He said, “Everywhere in the world, there are kinds of support government gives to private Universities to assist them in the way they contribute to national economy and development, but it’s a different scenerio in Nigeria.”
“We pay taxes and do other things, so there is nothing wrong if the government also support us, most private Universities are been funded by their proprietors.”
“Private Universities started formerly with the licencing of three Universities which are Convenant University, Babcock University and Igbinedion University, most of these Universities have spent over 20 years contributing to Nigeria economy and expanding access to higher education.”
“As of today, federal Universities are 52, and state Universities are about 63, while private Universities are about 147, in terms of manpower to the development of Nigeria economy, private Universities are more than public Universities, they have contributed immensely to Nigeria in higher manpower by running post graduate programmes”.
“Government needs to solve the issue of power which is one of challenges facing us for actual development to occur, because how do you focus on research and innovation if half of your income is been spend on power generation.”
He however said Hallmark University was created to be the best in creativity and innovation, saying the institution is envision to be a world class University that look into developing the nation.
