By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has attributed the frequent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to funding challenges facing public universities in Nigeria. He stated this during Federal University Birnin Kebbi's pre-convocation lecture, where he emphasized that the proliferation of universities has strained government resources.
Senator Hope Uzodimma, stated this on Friday during a pre-convocation lecture at Federal University Birnin Kebbi. The lecture's theme was "Challenges of Funding Public Universities in Nigeria: Pathways for Sustainable Tertiary Education." Uzodimma, represented by his Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Chike Nwadike, explained that federal universities previously enjoyed 100% government subsidy.
The primary source of funding for most Nigerian universities remains government allocations, which are currently insufficient. Although the creation of more universities has improved access to education, the federal government can no longer sustain their funding.
To address this challenge, Uzodimma urged universities to explore internal revenue generation, particularly through research, to fulfill their mandates of teaching, research, and community services. Some alternative sources of funding include:Universities can leverage research to generate revenue and support their activities.
Collaborations with industries can provide additional funding opportunities. Universities can explore creative ways to generate revenue, such as levying fees for specific services. Despite challenges, TETFund continues to provide support to universities.
By exploring these alternative funding sources, Nigerian universities can reduce their dependence on government allocations and ensure sustainable tertiary education. This approach aligns with recommendations from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and experts in higher education financing in Nigeria.
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