Daniel Olukoya: Running Universities in Nigeria is Challenging

The founder of Mountain Top University (MTU), Dr. Daniel Olukoya, has stated that the institution “is always at the back of the poor” to provide them with access to quality education through its scholarship programme.

Dr. Olukoya, who is also the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Worldwide, acknowledged the significant financial challenges faced by underprivileged children in Nigeria in pursuing university education. He explained that MTU prioritises addressing these needs.

He made these remarks at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate in management sciences.

Responding to queries about the high cost of faith-based universities in Nigeria, Olukoya stated, “The reality is that universities are expensive to run. To get a top-notch university, you must invest in quality learning equipment and academic gadgets, among others; they are also expensive to procure.

“But the current situation is that if you cannot pay good money to lecturers or professors, you won’t get good teachers. And if you run a private university and are paying less than federal universities, you will not get good professors.”

He further attributed the high tuition fees to operational costs, including salaries and energy expenses. “A large chunk of the money goes to electricity and diesel, but we are now installing solar panels and inverters as alternatives to the conventional sources of energy,” he added.

Highlighting MTU’s initiatives for supporting the less privileged, Dr. Olukoya said, “At the MTU, we offer rebates to pastors’ children apart from the scholarship scheme. We also have an endowment fund to cater to the needs of the poor as well as a rebate for members.”

He shared his personal connection to the plight of the poor: “I am one of them. I am always supportive of the poor because I know how difficult it was for me to get to the University. My parents didn’t have the money.”

On the issue of insecurity in Nigeria, Dr Olukoya advocated for spiritual solutions, emphasising the importance of prayer.

“There is only one weapon that can kill any problem, and it is prayer. No matter how strong the problem is, prayer can dismantle it,” he said.

He concluded by stressing the need for divine intervention in Nigeria’s affairs.

“What we need in Nigeria is divine intervention. Let God intervene in what we are doing. Divine intervention is greater than human intellect. From what is happening in the world, you can see that God is showing mankind that they are helpless,” he said.