The founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has called on the government at all levels to provide adequate funds for running public universities in the country.
The legal icon, who described poor funding as a significant challenge for universities in Nigeria, also called for improved remuneration for medical doctors and other health workers.
As the chief executive officer and registrar of the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof Fatima Kyari, said measures are being taken to enhance the country’s health system and ensure that healthcare delivery works for all.
They spoke in Ado Ekiti at the 7th Induction/Oath-Taking Ceremony of newly qualified medical doctors of ABUAD by MDCN.
Afe Babalola said, “Quality and functional education is costly, but I sincerely believe that federal and state governments should make it a duty to fund education adequately.
“The recent publication by ASUU of uncomplicated structures in federal universities is disturbing and frightening. Similarly, the monthly payment of salaries is detestable”.
On the poor remuneration for medical doctors and other health workers in Nigeria, the elder statesman said, “The reason why many Nigerian doctors and Nurses leave this country immediately after completing their training is that the emoluments paid in Naira are much less than what cleaners in hospitals overseas earn. Worse still, Doctors in many states and government hospitals have not been paid for months.
“I appeal to the government to increase Doctors’ salaries and ensure prompt payment”.
He noted that many affluent Nigerians can establish universities in the mould of ABUAD.
“Education is costly; it is a notorious fact that most of the leading universities in the world are private universities. I call on the government to encourage wealthy Nigerians to borrow a leaf from America and Europe to establish quality universities”.
