Founder of the newly licensed Jimoh Babalola University (JBU), Ilorin, Kwara State, Alhaji Jimoh Balola, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to approve a certain percentage of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TETFund) allocation as a steady bailout for private universities in the country.
Babalola made the appeal at the unveiling of the new university in Ilorin, the state capital.
He said running tertiary institutions is capital-intensive and demanding, such that only the determination of the government and individuals could drive them to success.
Describing the birth of his university as a dream realised, Babalola said: “I hereby make a call to the federal government and the President to give us a certain percentage of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), realising that Nigerian education is quite extensive.
“He (Tinubu) just has to consider the fact that the private universities help in decongesting traffic in admission seekers, we help in breeding the youths in technology and scientific, and general education, in considering a certain percentage of TETFund for private universities.”
He explained that education is a pillar by which the country can address illiteracy and provide both direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Babalola projected the JBU of his dream to be established in other continents, beyond Africa, in a few years, saying, “In a few years from now, I wish to have JBU schools beyond Nigeria.”
Earlier, the pioneer acting Vice Chancellor of JBU, Prof. Muftau Adeniyi Ijaya, had stated that the institution relied heavily on funding from the proprietor, grants, as well as partnerships with interested individuals to sustain itself.
“We already know the problem with funding, but the founder has an exceptional and extraordinary passion for education. Aside from that, the institution would tap into grants, just as people/partners have been calling for a partnership, which we are always ready for.
“I just hope and pray that the federal government can earmark a little percentage of TETFund funding for the private universities to survive and remain relevant,” Ijaya said.
