The need for alternative funding for Nigerian universities have been emphasized as the possible solution to the incessant crisis witnessed in recent times.
This position was stated in a paper presented at the just concluded meeting of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Alumni Association held in Kaduna.
The presenter of the paper, titled, “Alternative Fundings For University Education” Comrade Sanusi Maikudi,
Director Kaduna State Water Coorperation, said the enormous task of government singlehandedly funding education is no longer feasible, thus, other windows need to be sourced for funding in order to get the system right.
According to him, “Most stakeholders are not happy with the shutdown of universities which has made students to stay at home. He appealed to the Federal government to comply with the UNESCO’s constitution which states that 26 percent of a country’s budget should be committed to education because of the value of promoting human resource workforce and human capital of the country”.
While calling on the government to do the needful to end the prolonged stay of students at home, he urged the university authorities to equally play their parts in assisting government in providing quality education for our students.
“On the other side, l also want to register my disagreement with the Exco’s position that only government should fund universities.There are other funding windows
For the healthy development of the nation’s education, alternative funding he said should be sourced for rather than waiting for the government to fund it”.
“For the healthy development of the Nigerian education and tertiary educational sectors, options should be explored just as it is being done in other
parts of the country. With that we can have additional money to grow the universities to meet the growing population.
Some of these options includes, Developing university endowment
charging affordable tuition fees, Promoting IGR within the universities and judicious application of the resources that are applicable for the system to grow.
“Each stakeholders should contribute his or her own quarters to make sure that there are enough resources to grow, expand and maintain the system through tuition and other means.
There should be special provisions for those who cannot afford should have scholarships, they should have loan scheme or have subsidy.
For those who are able to pay should pay. This is the best practice in the world.”
Speaking, The Director General of Ahmadu Bello Foundation, the Chairman Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association Kaduna state Branch, Engr. Abubakar Gambo is also of the view that government alone cannot longer fund universities. Other funding sources must be looked into.
He said aside sourcing the assistance of private sectors, the universities themselves will need to look inward.
According to him, they could raise funds through commercializations of some of their activities to generate funding, generate ideas in order to supplement what government is giving them.
“Fund could be generated through their publications, through the use of some of
their facilities such as the use of laboratory etc”.
He also urged for the introduction of realistic tuition fees considering the reality of situation on ground. This he said will make education accessible to every eligible student.
“With this, public universities will run efficiently, effectively and be able to compete favourably with other universities globally.”
Cov/Adamu Yusuf
