The Vice Chancellor, Wellspring University, Benin City, Edo State, Professor Isaac Ajayi, has called on the government to devote more priorities to education.

He said Nigeria must compete with the current trends of technological development ongoing across the globe, it must take decisive measures to improve the education sector.

The don also said educating the human resources is the foundation upon which a nation could thrive, emphasised the need for Nigeria to put everything in place towards the development of her education sector He said there is need to do more beyond what is currently available in the country.

According to him, “If the needful is done in the education sector, Nigeria will experience accelerated growth and development both in science and technology. This will reduce the poverty, crime and unemployment rate across the country.

“Education is a very important social service that should be at the front burner because, next to life, education equips a man to face life. Education is basic and should occupy a place of priority. When something occupies priority, it gets more attention and all it takes, including funding.

“We often complain about funding, but funding is a function of the importance placed on something. If education is prioritised as an essential service for all regardless of race, career, or background, it will receive the necessary backing and support.

“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommended that a minimum of 26 percent of a nation’s budget allocation should be set aside for education, but a serious state or country allocates far more to achieve targeted goals.”

He said Nigeria needs to set specific targets: by a certain year, illiteracy levels should be reduced to zero, and we should work vigorously towards achieving this.

“Education needs to be prioritised as essential, and we must set deliverables and targets for higher education, senior secondary education, and university education and pursue them rigorously. Funding is secondary; the position education occupies is what truly matters,” he said.

Professor Ajayi also decries the rate the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) uses industrial actions to press home its demands from the government. According to him, “Strike action is damaging and unproductive but if people are driven to the wall, they will react. While I do not support strike actions, I don’t also condemn it if it is unavoidable and it is used to draw the attention of relevant government agents to pressing issues. As much as possible, strikes should be avoided.”

Speaking on what has changed in the Wellspring University since he was appointed the vice chancellor, Professor Ajayi said, “It has been challenging, stimulating, and exciting to lead this institution. The challenges include infrastructural deficits, academic expansion needs, and funding challenges. These challenges appeared overwhelming at first, but God has given us the grace to tackle them and achieve results.”

He said under his watch, Wellspring University has maintained a focus. He said, “When I assumed office, there were serious infrastructural challenges, including decay in existing infrastructure. To the glory of God, we have upgraded existing infrastructures and embarked on new construction projects. Today, we are better off in terms of physical infrastructure.

“For instance, we now have a library, upgraded college blocks, a renovated health center, a new 1,200-capacity auditorium, and several new hostel facilities. In terms of academic development, we have added new courses, increased staff strength, and improved graduate output. We now hold our convocation annually, and our programs enjoy full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC). These milestones were achieved by the grace of God.”

On funding, he said the aim and objectives of the management is to ensure it gets value for every kobo. “No kobo is wasted. Most of our projects are executed through direct labor to minimise costs. Our main source of revenue is student fees, supplemented by occasional proprietor funding. By God’s grace, we are making progress.”

He also disclosed that all 24 programs the institution runs are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).