The Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Oyedunni Sola Arulogun, and the Chancellor of Lead City University, Professor Gabriel Ogunmola, have called for the extension of intervention funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to private universities.

They made the call at a colloquium organised in honour of Professor Jide Owoeye at 70, where education stakeholders examined the evolving role of private sector participation in Nigeria’s higher education system.

Arulogun, who spoke on the theme, “Intervention Opportunities in Higher Education – Is the Private Sector Left Out?” argued that if higher education is truly regarded as the engine of national transformation, intervention mechanisms must be inclusive.

“If higher education is the engine of national transformation, intervention must be designed to serve all — both public and private universities,” she said.

According to her, private universities contribute significantly to access, infrastructure development and manpower training, yet are excluded from key funding interventions that could strengthen research, innovation and quality assurance.

She maintained that extending TETFund support to accredited private institutions would enhance research output, improve facilities and reduce pressure on public universities overwhelmed by rising enrolment.

Corroborating her position, Ogunmola said education funding should prioritise national interest over ownership structure.

“The money must serve the interest of all, both private and public universities,” he said, stressing that sustainable national development requires strengthening the entire tertiary ecosystem.

He noted that many private universities operate with limited access to intervention funds despite meeting regulatory standards, adding that inclusiveness would promote competitiveness and elevate overall academic quality.

Stakeholders at the event argued that the increasing demand for university education in Nigeria calls for diversified funding models and stronger public-private collaboration.

They emphasised that while private institutions are funded largely by proprietors and tuition, they remain integral to national human capital development and should not be sidelined in policy frameworks aimed at strengthening the sector.

The event attracted a broad spectrum of participants, including academics, policymakers, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic and media communities. Among those present were former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Adeniyi Osuntogun; the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Adedokun Abolarin; media entrepreneur Dele Momodu; and Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), Seye Oyeleye.

Vice-chancellors from several universities also paid glowing tributes to the celebrant, including the Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University, Ibraheem Gbajabiamila; and the Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Oyedunni Arulogun, alongside representatives of Redeemer’s University and Ajayi Crowther University.

Speakers at the event collectively described Owoeye as an institution builder whose leadership as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council has been marked by transparency, strategic planning and a strong commitment to due process.

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, Umaru Pate, in his remarks, said universities must consciously communicate their vision, research outputs and societal contributions if they are to remain relevant in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global environment.

According to him, institutions of higher learning can no longer afford to operate in isolation but must intentionally build bridges with industry, policymakers and communities.

“The world has changed. Artificial intelligence is reshaping jobs, climate change is redefining priorities, and societies are becoming more complex,” Pate said. “Universities must communicate their vision, research and values effectively if they are to contribute meaningfully to development.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Olumuyiwa Popoola, said private universities in particular must treat communication as a strategic institutional function rather than an afterthought.

He stressed that well-structured and carefully targeted communication strategies are essential for building trust, strengthening institutional reputation and fostering partnerships.