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Why are investors in the education sector treated with so much disdain?
This was the question that has continued to agitate the mind of Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran, the Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Otta, Ogun State.
Prof Ojediran’s outburst clearly speaks the concerns of operators and investors in the private university education sector since coming to fill a lacuna created by the increasing number of young Nigerians yearning for quality tertiary education and arrest the dwindling quality of learning in the nation’s public university system that was characterised by incessant strikes, failed Infrastructure and low capacity to accommodate the growing number seeking admission.
Prof. Ojediran spoke while addressing the press at a news conference recently to announce activities for the 16th Convocation of the institution which commences with a Jumat and Thanksgiving services and ends Saturday, November 2, 2024, with the conferment of honorary Degrees, award of Higher Degrees and diplomas and presentation of prizes.
Prof. Ojediran appealed to the Federal Government to support private universities for enhancement of development of human capital needs of the country.
He advocated a change in policy by the government by making more resources available to private universities like their public sector counterparts enjoying support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), saying that the immense potential in the private university education sector is expandable if encouraged with some government support from the common wealth of the nation.
He said, “We reiterate that private universities operate within the same landscape as public ones, and that the incursion of private investors into the educational landscape is basically not for profit. But was born out of the love for Nigeria and the desire to contribute positively to its Human Capital Development.
“If private incursions into other aspects of the economy are encouraged with all manners of support from the government, why are investors in the education sector handled with so much disdain?” Prof Ojediran queried.
He said, “Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria operates on the same theatre of engagements in the public sector, producing quality manpower for the development of Nigeria. Our products performed excellently, on neutral grounds, against products of the public institutions.
“Now, if it seems like we see a bit far ahead, more than others, it is because we stand on the shoulders of giants, and run with their vision and the concept given to us. One of this is that Bells University of Technology is a Community university.
“The Concept of the Community University is characterised by innovations that have always marked turning points in public engagements and social contracts.
“It is, therefore, necessary to appreciate the concept of the Community University as the model being championed by Bells University of Technology, Ota to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge and shared experiences, recognising that education is lifelong activity,” he added.
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