Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, has urged governors in the country to prioritise education in their budgets, and to create investment’s policies in universities.
Governor Uzodimma gave the advice at the maiden convocation lecture of Federal University of Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Gov. Uzodimma presented a lecture on: “The Challenges of Funding Public Universities in Nigeria: Pathways to Sustainable Tertiary Education.”
Gov. Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Higher and Technical Education, Prof. Victor Nwachuckwu, said: “The task before us is monumental, but it is not insurmountable.
“To all stakeholders, I say this: the future of our nation depends on the strength of our educational system. We cannot afford to fail.
“To my colleagues in the government, I urge you to prioritise education in our national budget and to create policies that encourage investment in our universities.”
The governor challenged university administration to embrace innovation, seek out new funding sources, and manage resources with the utmost efficiency and transparency.
“To the private sector, I call on you to see our universities not as charity cases, but as partners in driving innovation and economic growth.
“Invest in our institutions, collaborate on research, and help shape the workforce of tomorrow, ” he urged.
Uzodimma also opined that sustainable funding for public universities was crucial for producing skilled graduates, driving innovation, and addressing societal challenges.
“The path forward requires dedication, innovation, and a shared vision among all stakeholders.
“With strong political leadership championing this cause, I believe we can transform our higher education sector into a powerful engine for economic growth, social progress, and global relevance,” he said.
The governor admonished the universities to diversify their revenue streams as the most crucial steps towards sustainable funding.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and former INEC boss, Prof. Attairu Jega, commended the Imo governor for what he described as an excellent lecture.
He noted that the regional governments of Nigeria in the past budgeted 40 per cent of their budgets to the education sector.
Jega stressed that only two states in the country budgeted about 13 to 15 per cent of their budgets to education.
“The governments must increase budgetary allocation to educate to prevent decay in infrastructural facilities in Nigerian universities and relieve Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) of the burden of overwhelmed with capital projects in many universities,” he advised.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, appreciated all the guests that attended the lectures, saying that the institution had grown from three faculties to many with about 13 departments.
The lecture was attended by the Chancellor of FUBK, Eze Clatus- Ikeckukwu, the Obi of Obinugu, who is also the Co-Chairman, Southern Traditional Rulers Council, former Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Sa’adu Dakingari, former Deputy Governor of Borno State and Pro-Chancellor of FUBK, Alhaji Ali Abubakar-Jato, among others. (NAN)