The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Abel Olayinka, came out swinging on Thursday, demanding a critical review of the legislation that currently prevents private universities in Nigeria from accessing the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETF). This call, made during the 17th convocation lecture at Lead City University in Ibadan, suggests that the government’s outdated stance on private education is not only ridiculous but downright counterproductive for the country’s long-term development.
Olayinka, now the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Ibadan, argued that while it’s true that private universities aren’t directly funded by the government, they are, in essence, public institutions serving a much-needed role in the education system. He put it bluntly: “We do not need to cut our nose to spite our face.” In other words, by denying private universities access to the TETF, the government is undermining its own interests and doing a disservice to the future of Nigerian students and the country’s development.
The fact that private universities are often dismissed as profit-driven enterprises, essentially written off as luxury items for the wealthy, was also called out. Olayinka was pretty serious with his words: “There is a mindset that private universities were established solely to make a profit, and as such they should be left to their own devices to either survive or die.” He suggested that this view is not only shortsighted but entirely flawed. Sure, private institutions aim to be financially sustainable, but that doesn’t mean they should be forced to shoulder the entire burden of education without support, particularly when they are providing much-needed opportunities to a growing population of Nigerian students.
This debate takes on even more substance when you consider Nigeria’s expanding educational demand. With the country’s population growing exponentially, the government is simply not in a position to meet the educational needs of everyone. Olayinka pointed out that “education should be seen both as a public good and as a private good,” urging the government to see the bigger picture. When public resources fall short, it’s time to turn to the private sector to help fill the gap. This is not about allowing private universities to run wild or focusing solely on profit, it’s about encouraging a necessary partnership where the private sector can complement government efforts to ensure the quality of education doesn’t take a nosedive.
And there’s more. Olayinka also threw his weight behind the call for private universities to benefit from the government’s student loan scheme, arguing that not all students at these institutions come from wealthy backgrounds. It’s an unfortunate but common misconception that private universities are only for the rich, but that simply isn’t the case. As Olayinka rightly pointed out, students from various socio-economic backgrounds attend these institutions, and they deserve equal access to financial aid.
In his own remarks, Prof. Kabir Adeyemi, Vice Chancellor of Lead City University, echoed Olayinka’s call for a more collaborative approach to solving the crisis in Nigerian higher education. He suggested that entrepreneurship could be a key solution, but it’s clear that without government support, especially in terms of funding, this will be a tough road ahead.
It’s hard to deny that Nigeria’s higher education system is facing a multitude of challenges, but the government’s approach to private universities is a major hurdle that needs to be cleared if we’re ever going to see any real progress.
If the country’s leaders continue to hold onto outdated and illogical policies, the educational gap will only continue to widen, leaving an entire generation of students and future leaders without the opportunities they deserve. The time to act is now, and it’s high time the government recognizes the role that private universities play in shaping the future of Nigeria.
