The Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Saturday, urged the Federal Government to support private universities across the six geo-political zones of the country with Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) grants and projects to boost academic performance.
Gambari, who spoke at the 17th Convocation Ceremony of the institution, where 667 students graduated with various degree programmes for the 2024/2025 academic session, also urged the Federal Government, State, and Local Government to waive taxes on private universities as they struggle with financial difficulties due to the current economic hardships.
He charged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to extend the services of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to private institutions, lamenting that most of them were overwhelmed by financial difficulties and struggling to survive due to the skyrocketing costs of goods and services caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Chancellor cited an instance where the university’s monthly electricity bill, which was around One Million Naira two years ago, has now risen to over N20 million. He emphasised that costs for the provision of security, solar energy, a constant water supply, internet and WiFi subscriptions, library resources, and several other overheads have significantly increased.
He maintained that the quality of education provided by private universities in the country cannot be overemphasised, especially in bridging the widening gap of admission-seeking youths, where government or state-owned institutions are unable to admit them. He appealed to the FG to view private universities as partners in progress rather than merely revenue generators.
Gambari said, “I charge the Federal Government to include private universities in TETFUND. It should find ways and means to support private universities through competitive research grants and ensure that such support is spread across the six geopolitical zones in the country. Let me conclude by stressing that the government should see private universities as partners in progress rather than money spinners.”
“It is therefore apposite to propose to the Federal, State and Local Governments, a tax waiver for private universities, given their huge contributions to human capital development of Nigerian citizens. Many of these academic institutions are overburdened and struggling with financial difficulties. The government should value their social responsibility and the value they add to their communities.
“At this juncture, attention of government must be drawn to the challenges private universities encounter daily. For instance, our monthly electricity bill alone at Crescent University, which used to be around One Million Naira two years ago, is now over N20m. This includes the provision of security, solar power, a constant water supply, internet and WiFi subscription, library resources, and several other overheads. It is the responsibility of the constituted authority to ensure that private universities survive for the good of society. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
“Contributions of private universities to the nation’s development cannot be overemphasised. They have, no doubt, closed to an appreciable extent, the widening gap of admission-seeking youths in our country. These institutions have also substantially contributed to the provision of quality education at the tertiary level in Nigeria. The quality of private university graduates is seen in the performance of Crescent University alumni who replicated their exceptional academic performance in European and American universities with distinctions and PhD grades at the Master’s level.”
The Vice Chancellor of Crescent University, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, also appealed to the FG to urgently extend the benefits of TETFUND grants and projects to private universities across the country. He expressed regret over the large amount of money spent by the administrative body of the institutions to run school activities during these current economic hardships.
Gbajabiamila, who congratulated the overall best graduating students for the 2024/2025 academic session, Ganiyu Feranmi of the Bola Ajibola College of Law, said that the school had, over the years, provided excellent brains in various fields of endeavours celebrated within and outside the country for their contributions to research and human development.
He said that the university had continued to uphold zero tolerance for examination malpractices, indecent dressing, cultism, drug abuse, anti-social vices, among the students, while urging parents to counsel their children on the importance of being law-abiding, and challenging the graduands to confront challenges head-on through hard work and innovation in order to achieve greatness in life.
Earlier, the Proprietor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Crescent University, Prince Muhammad Ajibola, emphasised that his late father, Prince Bola Ajibola’s legacy, continues to motivate the management to enhance the academic performance of students through advanced learning in modern technology, innovations, and research to make them exceptional in their respective fields.
