Adegbulugbe Urges FG Not to Neglect Private Universities

The Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, has urged the federal government to sustain private universities.

He said as the nation reflects on the progress and challenges faced by private universities in Nigeria, it is imperative to highlight the critical role they play in nation development.

He made the appeal yesterday at the 15th Convocation of JABU, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

Adegbulugbe, who is a fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), was quoted in a statement to have declared that, “institutions like JABU contribute significantly to the education sector, fostering innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. However, the sustainability and growth of private universities require more robust support from the government.

“We therefore call on the federal government to extend the benefits of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to private universities. By establishing clear and rigorous eligibility criteria, the government can ensure that only institutions meeting high standards of quality and impact benefit from such support. This will not only enhance the capacity of private universities to deliver quality education but will also contribute to national development by creating a more equitable and competitive higher education landscape”.

He announced that the JABU energy park has been successfully completed, explaining that the project was undertaken to provide a reliable power supply, to create a more conducive environment for learning, teaching, and research.

“It reflects our collective resolve to ensure that JABU remains at the forefront of academic excellence and innovation.

“From my experience as an energy professional, I know that what has been achieved is a major milestone.

However, it is a first step towards providing affordable, sustainable and accessible energy services to the University. We still have a long way to go. We would and should not rest on our oars. Today, I charge the University community and friends of the University to let us start the next step of the journey we embarked upon in 2023 by planning, designing, engineering, and constructing JABU Energy Park which will warehouse a mini-grid hybrid renewable energy and gas fueled power system on campus that will not only serve the energy needs of the University community but generate excess electricity to the national grid and the surrounding communities.

“In effect, the JABU Energy Park will be generating revenue for the university. To be clear, this ambitious project will cost billions of naira. Where will the resources for our ‘Let There Be Light Initiative’ doth come from? I am persuaded God will provide,” Adegbulugbe added.