Dickson Calls for Full Financial Autonomy for Nigerian Varsities

By Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, has called for full financial autonomy for Nigerian universities in the face of dwindling revenues.

The governor argued that Nigerian Ivory Towers should not continue to rely on handouts from state governments or the federal government to solely fund them, noting that it was no longer sustainable.

A statement by Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, noted that Dickson spoke when he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree of Public Administration by the Ekiti State University, (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti.

Other recipients of the honorary degree awards, according to the statement, were the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Oba Adegoke  Olu-Adeyemi and Sir Gbenga Oyebode, as part of activities marking the institution’s 21st Convocation ceremony.

He argued that those directly involved in the management of the country’s tertiary institutions should be more creative in generating revenue for self-sustenance.

The governor expressed gratitude to the management of the Ekiti State University for the honour bestowed on him, adding that the gesture would further spur him to continually invest in the education sector.

While commending the host Governor and Visitor to EKSU, Mr. Ayo Fayose, as well as the leadership of the university for their hard work and dedication to academic excellence, Dickson said in the face of the prevailing economic challenges, it has become expedient for tertiary institutions across the country to be self-sustaining.

He described EKSU as a model and applauded the management of the University for its efforts at sustaining itself in the light of dwindling federal allocation to states.

Further details later