Vice Chancellor Seeks Govt Support For Private Varsities

The Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, Prof Abiodun Gabriel Adeniyi, has called for greater government support for private universities, saying they contribute to the same national human-capital development goals as public institutions.

Adeniyi, who made the call in Abuja yesterday while speaking with the press, stressed that private universities face significant financial pressures in providing quality education, maintaining infrastructure and complying with regulatory requirements.

The Vice-Chancellor said private universities should not be viewed purely as profit-making ventures, noting that the cost of establishing and sustaining academic programmes, recruiting qualified personnel, providing facilities and meeting regulatory standards was enormous.

He said, “Anybody who thinks it is a profit-making organisation is just making a mistake. Look at what it entails to hire staff, buy facilities, provide utilities and execute huge capital-intensive projects. It is difficult.”

Adeniyi argued that graduates of private universities ultimately join the same workforce and contribute to the Nigerian economy alongside graduates of public institutions.

“We are all citizens of this country. I don’t mind if TETFund wants to support us.”

He commended the Executive Secretary of TETFund for initiatives aimed at including private universities in some of its research programmes, while calling for more support, saying such interventions would strengthen the capacity of private universities to provide quality education and remain sustainable.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted Baze University’s strategic location in Abuja, saying its central position in the Federal Capital Territory makes it accessible to students from different parts of Nigeria.

According to him, the university was established about 15 years ago by its Founder and Chancellor, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, with the vision of redefining tertiary education in Nigeria and building an institution capable of competing with leading universities globally.

Adeniyi said the university had deliberately invested in maintaining a serene and conducive learning environment, while keeping its fees competitive despite receiving no direct government allocation.

He said Management of the institution has  ensured compliance with regulatory requirements set by the National Universities Commission, NUC, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Adeniyi also dismissed perceptions that Baze University was primarily an institution for politicians, explaining that while some politicians and senior professionals had enrolled, the university had a diverse student population.

“””””””