The federal government has requested that governing councils of colleges around the nation contact charitable organizations and donors to request additional money for initiatives.
At the inauguration of the governing councils for the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, yesterday, September 8, in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, offered the advice.
Adamu, who was represented by Goodluck Opiah, the Minister of State for Education, emphasized the challenging economic climate and expressed the intention of the government to increase private sector involvement in higher institutions.
He challenged the councils to develop ideas that would increase revenue outside of government budgets and also to show the kind of leadership that would encourage the universities’ quick growth and increase their ability to compete and be appealing to students.
The Minister Said;
“To this end, the councils should look outwards and enlist the support of philanthropic organizations and individuals for additional funding of projects in the Institutions. In addition, the councils can explore other sources of revenue through endowments.
“In doing these, you should ensure that the universities’ master plans, academic briefs and strategic plans are respected and their provisions strictly adhered to.”
Also stressing that the idea of chief executive or any principal officer of institutions coming from localities where they are sited had watered down the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, he described the practice as alien and further stated that merit should be the guiding principle.
