Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, the Pro-Chancellor of Dominion University, Ibadan, and the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Abel Olorunnisola, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to reconsider some of its policies that are antithetical to the growth and survival of private universities.

They also appealed to the Federal Government to review some of its policies, which, according to them, are limiting the growth of private universities in the country.

They made the call at a press conference heralding the second convocation of the university, slated for October 15 to 20, 2024.

According to the duo, the exclusion of private universities from the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as well as the age limit for admission seekers, are limiting the capacities of the universities and the potential of brilliant young secondary school leavers.

This also came as the duo disclosed that the university had concluded plans to offer employment opportunities to the 35 first-class graduates of the 2024 graduating set.

Giving a breakdown of the graduation statistics, the VC said 35 students out of the total graduating class of 148 achieved first-class honours.

While 71 earned second-class (upper division), 39 and three others achieved second-class (lower division) and third-class degrees, respectively.

He stated that at least 80 percent of the graduating students benefited from various scholarship schemes offered by the institution to support indigent students and make fees more affordable, aside from the institution’s flexible payment options.

He added that 10 of those who received scholarships also earned first-class honours.

Olorunnisola further disclosed that, in September 2024, the National Universities Commission approved the establishment of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, effective from the 2024/2025 academic session, bringing the total number of faculties at the institution to three.

The new faculty, he said, includes the departments of Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Public Health, which have already commenced operations.

The highpoint of the convocation will be the convocation lecture, to be delivered by the Managing Partner of Makanjuola Ojewumi and Co. and Chairman of Jericho Mall, Dr. Makanjuola Ojewumi, on Friday, October 18, followed by the award of first degrees and prizes on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Speaking, the Pro-Chancellor, Bishop Adelakun, who also serves as the Presiding Bishop of Victory International Church, urged the government to create a level playing field for both private and public universities in the country.

He said that laws favouring one part of the sector while dis-advantaging another may hinder the even growth of the education sector.

He cited, for instance, the access to grants through the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), which public universities enjoy but private universities do not, as well as the student loan fund (NELFUND), which he suggested should be extended to students in private institutions.

He added that while many public universities are unaffected by the age limit for admission seekers due to the high volume of applications they receive, the same policy has adverse effects on most applicants to private universities.

He urged the government to reconsider these policies, stressing that both private and public universities contribute to developing the country’s manpower. He noted that many modern courses, which are not readily available in most public universities, are abundant in private institutions.