x

FG Plan On A Funding Structures For Public Universities – Nwajiuba

The Federal Government is working on a funding structure for public universities in the country as part of moves to tackle the incessant strikes by lecturers in these institutions.

This is according to the former Minister of State for Education Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba who noted that the government’s funding of public universities is unsustainable.

“I have proposed, and the Minister of Education (Adamu Adamu) will continue discussing this with Mr President, a new scheme in which universities have a different way of earning money to be able to care for themselves,” he said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election maintained that with the number of public universities in the country, these schools have to get new ways of making money to fund their institutions.

“Because you see, there are only 50 of these federal universities and there are 200 others. However, these 50 alone are more than 75 percent of the number of students in the entire university structure – about 2.2m of them,” he argued.

“So, it is important we give them a funding structure; we need to bring a funding structure to the table because this coming hand-in-cap to the Federal Government at all times cannot be continued and is not sustainable.”

‘Point of Departure’

Nwajiuba, who last week resigned his position in the cabinet to concentrate on his presidential dream, said “this (a new funding structure) is something I would implement if you give me your mandate to be president.

“I know that even if it is not implemented now, the universities autonomy law needs to be reactivated.”

The former minister’s comment adds to the debates about funding for public universities in the country. Lecturers in these institutions have been on strike since February 14, pushing their demands, which include better funding for universities.

But the APC chieftain believes ASUU should reconsider strike as a means to press home their demands.

“In the last 20 years, we have had nearly 16 strikes. So, my position has not been that ‘Please, ASUU is talking rubbish’,” Nwajiuba said. “No, this is not true. ASUU is making a case for the entire university system.

He, however, said, “the only point of departure is that we have asked ASUU that strikes cannot cure the problem.”

“We need our children back in school. It hurts parents; it hurts us,” the presidential aspirant noted. “My own children are here. I don’t have children in private universities.”

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

A’Ibom Lawmaker, Edidem, lauds Tinubu over Akpabio’s SSDC appointment

By Ogenyi OgenyiDeputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom Assembly,...

Dr. Uduak Silas Obot Laid to Rest in His Country Home

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaThe remains of Dr. Uduak Silas Obot,...

Bayelsa Governor Lauds Security Agencies for Synergy

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaBayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has...

Bayelsa Cult Attack Claims Two Lives

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaTwo Niger Delta University graduates were brutally...

B’Haram: Zulum approves 35 patrol vehicles, motorcycles for Borno community

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaBorno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum,...

Adulterated soya beans oil producing factory discover in Kaduna

By Achadu Gabriel, kadunaApparently owing to severity of hardship...

Judge Faces Compulsory Retirement for Misconduct in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaAn area court Judge, Alemeru Adekunle...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img