Don urges Nigerian Universities to diversify funding sources

SOKOTO (Sundiata Scholar) – Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, has charged managements of Nigerian Universities to diversify sources of funding and redouble efforts on productive researches.

Ogundipe gave the charge on Wednesday in Sokoto at a lecture titled ” University Governance and Traditions in Nigeria; Issues, Challenges and Prospects” organized by Academic Staff Union (ASUU), Usman Danfodio University Sokoto.

The event was part of ”Heroes Day” in honour of retiring ASUU members and a validictory lecture in honour of outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawal Bilbis.

He explained that universities should attract more friends, initiate viable ventures through utilizing thier distinctive locations and needs in order to attract incomes.

According to him, statutory allocations were grossly inadequate to cater for divers needs in the universities, noting that universities should intensify efforts to attract domestic and foreign research grants.

Ogundipe added that through such efforts, universities would enhance their services, academic excellence and workers welfare.
” Universities are left alone, as parents and guardians are only prepared to matriculate and graduate their children.

” These could be observed during the eight months strike embarked upon by academic staff as parents, students and labour unions left us to fight for our selves, ” Ogundipe lamented.

The former Vice Chancellor explained that during his stewardship, he attracted N18 billion research grants to the University of Lagos.

He urged university managements to consider all potentials in their surroundings and explore opportunities to generate more income to their respective institutions.

Speaking also, ASUU branch chairman, Prof. Nurudeen Mustapha, said the event was organized to appreciate excellent stewardship and dedication of some union members that contributed to the knowledge development and university growth.

Mustapha said the retired personnels and the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bilbis have distinguished themselves in various areas and needed to be celebrated for future intellectuals to emulate.

In his remark, Prof. Bilbis, described the gathering as an assembly of dedicated individuals, who spent their lives for scholarship growth in the university system.

reports that retired ASUU members, who served UDUS and attained 70 years in life and families of some deceased persons were recognized with awards and cash donations from the union (NAN)