Former Lagos State University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has clarified her recent remarks on university fees and financial sustainability. Her comments were widely reported, suggesting that public universities in Nigeria might need to charge a minimum of one million naira as tuition per student annually. Olatunji-Bello's media aide, Mr Emmanuel Adeyemi, released a statement to provide context to her remarks. According to Adeyemi, Olatunji-Bello's comments were made in the context of delivering quality university education comparable with international standards.
Adeyemi emphasized that Olatunji-Bello did not advocate that students or parents should bear the entire cost of university education. Instead, her central argument was that providing quality undergraduate education costs about one million naira per student annually. However, she did not suggest that this cost must be transferred wholesale onto students or their parents. Olatunji-Bello encouraged universities to innovate and ensure improvements in the institution to achieve financial self-sustainability.
The media aide quoted Olatunji-Bello as saying that universities can achieve financial self-sustainability by innovating and improving their institutions, which would attract funding. She also encouraged parents to prioritize their children's education, noting that quality education requires adequate funding. Olatunji-Bello's remarks reflected a broader call for universities to pursue innovation and diversified revenue streams to achieve financial sustainability.
Adeyemi urged the public, media, and education stakeholders to consider Olatunji-Bello's complete remarks, rather than relying on isolated statements, for a more accurate understanding of her position. He emphasized that the former VC acknowledged the cost implications of quality education while encouraging shared responsibility among universities, parents, and other stakeholders.
The clarification comes after Olatunji-Bello's comments sparked a heated debate on the need for increased funding for public universities in Nigeria. Many stakeholders have expressed concerns about the financial sustainability of public universities, given the current economic realities in the country. Olatunji-Bello's suggestions were seen as a potential solution to the funding challenges facing public universities.
As a former VC of LASU, Olatunji-Bello's remarks carry significant weight, given her experience in the education sector. Her suggestions are expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the future of university education in Nigeria. The Nigerian Tribune understands that the country's education sector faces significant challenges, including inadequate funding, infrastructure deficits, and a shortage of qualified personnel.
The Nigerian education sector is expected to continue to evolve, with stakeholders seeking innovative solutions to address the existing challenges. Olatunji-Bello's clarification provides a nuanced understanding of her position on university funding and the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the financial sustainability of public universities in Nigeria.
Key points
- Former LASU VC, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, clarifies her remarks on university fees and financial sustainability.
- Olatunji-Bello did not advocate that students or parents should bear the entire cost of university education.
- The former VC encouraged universities to innovate and ensure improvements in the institution to achieve financial self-sustainability.
