Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Wednesday, September 9, expressed his disappointment over the absence of many vice chancellors at a forum on universities advancement held on Tuesday, saying only 18 of them attended.
Alausa disclosed this on his verified X handle, as he added of the 78 federal universities in the country, only 30 participated in the programme, saying this is below expectations.
The minister wrote: “I was disappointed yesterday. At the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) National University Advancement Programme Forum, only 18 vice chancellors were in the room.
“Of our 78 federal universities, only 30 participated in the FME-NHEF Advancement Programme in the first place. For something this important to the future and financial sustainability of our universities, we must do better.
“Since assuming office, I have urged universities to strengthen their Advancement Offices and diversify funding. The truth is: no university can survive on government funding alone.
“Our universities are sitting on enormous opportunities through their alumni, research grants, philanthropy, endowments and private-sector partnerships. Yet too many have deprioritised the very structures needed to unlock them.
“So today, I gave our vice chancellors a clear directive: rebuild and properly staff your Advancement Offices. Place them directly under the Office of the Vice Chancellor. Give your advancement professionals the stability, access and support they need, and fully utilise the training and platform being provided by NHEF.
“This is no longer a suggestion. It is a mandate.
“President Bola Tinubu has made it clear that this administration will not renege on its commitment to education. However, finding new sources of funding is also part of the responsibility of every vice chancellor.
“Blended financing is the way forward. Research grants. Alumni. Philanthropy. Private-sector investment. Endowment funds. This is the path towards greater university autonomy.
“We are not reinventing the wheel. We will take what works globally, adapt it to Nigeria and build institutions that can thrive for generations.
“To our vice chancellors: the era of waiting for government to fund everything must end. Build the structures. Mobilise the resources. Strengthen your institutions. That is your responsibility, and it must become part of your legacy.”
