Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday described education as foundational truth that gives meaning and purpose to life, and which every responsible government should take as its major priority.
He spoke on Tuesday in Osogbo while delivering the maiden annual lecture of Osun State University, titled “Interrogating Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives”
The COS said this is why all developed and developing nations around the world take education as a major priority as it is capable of driving development and shaping the society and its citizens .
An educated man or woman is always cognisant of his or her rights and responsibilities within the community he or she lives, he said.
He said though many people consider education as a privilege, it is a right of every citizen.
According to him, “the utmost purpose is to produce a nation of people who build thriving communities, contribute to a fair society, and shape a country that reflects the highest ideals”
Identifying funding as one of the challenges facing tertiary education education, Gbajabiamila said Nigerian universities must reform their curriculum, teaching methods, technology access and comfortable lodging among others to overcome funding challenges.
He added that management of the institutions must have zero tolerance for unethical conduct and coordinated efforts to eradicate ills like plagiarism, cultism and sexual harassment.
He noted that the Federal Government operates 64 while state governments operate 63, but they are insufficient for the growing population of Nigeria.
According to him, education gulped N2.18trillion in 2024 which is second to National Security. He lamented that despite the large sum, universities in Nigeria still fall short of what it is required in Africa and the world.
He said that in the United Kingdom and United States, in-state students pay £9,535 and $8,914 per annum while International students pay £38,000 and $19,081.
His word “The financial contributions of international students are a significant revenue stream for universities worldwide, helping to subsidise university education for the citizens of those countries. Policymakers and university administrators in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and even Africa have long implemented policies and strategies to boost the enrollment of international students.”
He noted that Africa countries like Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa have tried to boost funding of public universities by attracting International students.
“Public universities in Nigeria can and should also look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students willing and able to pay fees that might otherwise be practically and politically inexpedient for native students. Like the embassies of other nations in Nigeria, our embassies around the world can become very effective avenues for reaching out to a global market of students.”
He added that the academia must collaborate with the private sector to create a robust ecosystem for innovation, research commercialisation and economic growth thereby boost job creation.
Noting that the number of universities in Nigeria is insufficient, the CSO stressed that the growing population demands the establishment of more universities.
He added that the analysis of the 3024 budget of the Federal Government by the Nigerian institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) shows that Education had N2.18trillion, while Health and Defence had M1.33trillion and N3.25trillion respectively.
Speaking, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke said that the university is an enduring legacy that has continued to make him proud in the state, saying that Uniosun has become a model for other universities to emulate.
He said: “Osun State is experiencing rapid development in her educational achievements. Osun ranks seventh position in the last international examination ranking. Osun used to be in the 33rd position in 2022. Our target is to be ranked number one in the future”
He appreciated the guest lecturer, the University Vice Chancellor, Prof Odunayo Adebooye and the management team for the good they are doing in the institution urging them not to relent.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the guest lecturer for honouring the university just as he bailed the state governor for his unwavering support to the institution
