Vice Chancellors of universities in Nigeria have urged the government to explore more result-oriented means of the funding the education system.
The university heads’ suggestion is hinged on the need to reposition Nigeria’s universities to compete with their counterparts in the developed world.
At a forum in Abuja on Saturday, held in honour of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, the Vice Chancellors stressed that improvement of the standard of education in Nigeria had become more urgent than ever.
They emphasised that funding appeared to be standing in the way of achieving the needed growth in the sector.
Needs Assessment Policy
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Joseph Ajienka, stressed the need for the repositioning of Nigeria’s educational system for sustainable development.
“The way the global economy is, it is very clear that government alone may not be able to sustain the educational system.
“We will like to encourage the government to network with all stakeholders to see how we can sustain education,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of the university of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello, urged the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to sustain the Needs Assessment Policy aimed at revamping the university education in Nigeria which was established by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
“We want to plead with this government to be able to keep faith with that so as to stem the kind of incessancy of strikes and problems that befall universities when agreements are not kept,” Professor Bello stressed.
Not much has been heard about the Chairman of INEC since the successful conduct of the general elections two months ago.
At the forum, Professor Jega, spoke on his next move as his tenure ends in a few days’ time.
He told journalists what informed the choice of Professors as returning officers during the polls.
“We know that anybody who has risen in the system and developed a career and became a Vice Chancellor will not for anything damage his or her reputation by pandering to the wishes of politicians. That is why we decided to make them returning officers and we are very pleased that they have done this country proud.
“I am looking forward to taking a leave and resting and then going back to my job in the university -Teaching, research and community service,” Professor Jega stated.
