The Vice Chancellor of Ojaja University Eyenkorin, Kwara State, Prof. Jeleel Olasunkami Ojuade, has urged the inclusion of private universities in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TETFund’s) benefits.

He argued the need for equitable access to TETFund resources to address the pressing infrastructural and academic challenges confronting private tertiary institutions.

He made the calls on Wednesday at a press briefing in his office to herald the school’s maiden and combined convocation ceremony on Saturday.

Ojuade urged the National Assembly to review the existing law governing TETFund disbursements to cover private varsities.

He argued that private institutions, though independent, are critical to the nation’s educational development and should not be excluded from the support provided by the fund.

The Vice Chancellor lamented the alleged disproportionate allocation of government resources, lamenting that huge sums are being spent on politics while sectors like education are underfunded.

He called on the federal government to reprioritise its spending, urging it to dedicate specific funds from crude oil sales and revenue generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to education.

“The amount of money we spend on politics in this country is excessive compared to what is allocated to education,” the don said. “There’s an urgent need to provide adequate funding for the education sector. I propose that a portion of crude oil proceeds and FIRS revenue be specifically set aside to support education. Our universities are lagging far behind global standards due to inadequate infrastructure and resources.”

He stressed that the future of Nigeria’s young generation depends on a robust and well-funded education system.

While he acknowledged the need for more universities to accommodate Nigeria’s growing population, he insisted that these institutions must be properly supported if they are to provide quality education.