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The Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Prof Kayode Ijadunola, has raised concerns over the imminent collapse of many educational institutions in Nigeria due to escalating energy costs.
Ijadunola, who spoke at a press conference to announce the 8th and 9th Convocation ceremonies of the school, scheduled for November 6, said one of the major challenges facing tertiary institutions is the high cost of electricity.
He said, “The greatest challenge facing most institutions of higher learning in Nigeria today is the cost of energy, which has at least tripled in the last few months, especially with the transition to the Band A electricity billing system introduced by the DISCOs.
“While monthly bills have become largely unaffordable, power supplies remain irregular, and the University still relies on diesel-powered generators to provide backup power at very high costs.
“The cost of power, in fact, threatens the survival of the University system in 2025 if the current challenge remains unaddressed by the relevant government authorities.”
Speaking on the graduating students, Ijadunola explained that about 484 graduates would be produced by the institution for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 sessions, consisting of 228 and 256 undergraduate degrees, respectively.
According to him, “A total of 51 graduates are in the First Class category, 196 are in the Second Class Upper category, 191 are in the Second Class Lower category, and 46 are in the Third Class category.
“Furthermore, we will award 16 Postgraduate diplomas, 51 Master’s degrees, two Master of Philosophy degrees, and five Doctor of Philosophy degrees.”
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the combined 8th and 9th Convocation Ceremonies are unique for two reasons: it will be the first time the institution awards doctoral degrees, including honorary doctoral degrees to two distinguished Nigerians.
He said, “These two distinguished Nigerians have excelled in their personal and corporate lives, demonstrating admirable philanthropic gestures and making significant contributions to the country’s educational development.
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“They are Apostle Folorunso Alakija, the Group MD of the Rose of Sharon Group & Executive Vice-Chairman of Famfa Oil Ltd, and Chief Tunde Afolabi, a prominent figure in the global oil and gas industry and the CEO of Amni Petroleum Ltd, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
“It is also the first time we are graduating students from the recently established Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.”
The Elizade VC also lamented the ongoing mass migration of Nigerians abroad, noting that this trend has started to impact every sector in the country.
He emphasized the need to address the ‘JAPA syndrome,’ saying, “This trend has affected the University system in Nigeria, and Elizade University is not immune.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to attract and retain staff of all categories, especially health workers, despite all efforts and good intentions. Our ability to stay afloat is only due to our resilience and staff-friendly policies.
“We earnestly look forward to a positive turnaround in the national economy and orientation that will make it attractive for young people to pursue fulfilling careers within the country.
“For our part, we will continue to leverage our extensive network to recruit staff with the necessary skills and numbers to ensure seamless teaching, research, and community services as required.
“As a responsible corporate entity, Elizade University continues to fulfill its tax obligations to both state and federal authorities, including the education tax.
“However, like all private universities in the country, we are excluded from benefiting from TETFUND interventions and the newly introduced Federal education loan scheme (NELFUND).
“We strongly appeal to all relevant government agencies to include private universities, which are development partners with the government in educational transformation and are also contributing their fair share of taxes, in the TETFUND and NELFUND schemes without delay. This is not only a matter of fairness but also of natural justice.”
