‘Energy cost, japa syndrome ’ll threaten survival of varsity system’

Elizade, Bowen VCs lament exclusion of private varsities from TETFund, NELFUND

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Prof. Kayode Ijadunola, yesterday, said that the exorbitant energy costs incurred in the running of higher institutions of learning in the country would threaten the survival of the university system by 2025.

Ijadunola, who stressed the need to urgently address the situation, lamented that the japa syndrome currently ravaging the country is also adversely impacting the academic ecosystem, particularly health-related fields.

The VC, who spoke during a media briefing to herald the combined eighth and ninth convocation ceremonies of the institution, expressed optimism of a positive turn-around in the national economy amid the daunting challenges.

He, however, expressed dismay at the continued exclusion of private universities from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) despite fulfilling their tax obligations to the authorities.

Ijadunola, while disclosing that 51 graduating students in the First Class category have been produced by the institution, said that the institution would, for the first time since its existence, be awarding doctoral degrees and honorary doctoral degrees during the convocation scheduled for November 6, 2024.

ALSO, the Vice Chancellor of Bowen University Iwo, Osun State, Prof. Jonathan Babalola, yesterday, flayed the Federal Government for exempting private universities from benefiting from NELFUND and TETFund).

Babalola, who spoke during a media briefing in preparation for the institution’s 19th convocation ceremony, said it was inappropriate to deny private institutions from benefiting from TETFund since those private institutions are the ones providing the money the government is using for the fund.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to review the age limit on admission, saying that the minister who initiated the idea may mean well but it is not good to change the rule in the middle of a game.

Babalola, who said the country needs to research the appropriate age limit for admission, appealed to the Osun State government to stop the idea of collecting money for the communication mast that the school is using for the training of its mass communication students.