Academic graduation cap. Image: Gospellight.com
Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Prof. Abubakar Rasheed has said the future of higher education in Nigeria belongs to private universities.
Rasheed noted this at the 14th convocation lecture of the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State.
As stated by him, the advent of private universities in the country is a reflection of the yawning gap in government-established higher institutions in Nigeria.
“In some cases, available facilities are not properly maintained and, therefore, left in a state of disrepair,” the NUC boss added.
“Though funds from the government may be insufficient to sustain the adequate provision of facilities and infrastructure, some of the universities pay lip services to institutionalizing maintece culture in the system.
“The private universities are not expected to have similar challenges as some operating in the country have state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment, making them attractive for learning in contemporary times.”
He added that “Areas where there are loopholes, in relation to quality, must be plugged. Excellence in every facet of the operations of the private universities must be the watchword of the proprietors and the regulatory agencies.
“It might be argued that the provision of university education is a different ball game from those of the primary and secondary levels as it is more capital intensive and the financial profit derivable is usually not immediate.”