The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Sonny Echono, on Friday, said that the future of university education in Nigeria lies in sustainable funding anchored on the sharing of costs amongst stakeholders.
He charged managements of tertiary institutions to aim for greater autonomy, diversification of income sources, building partnerships at home and abroad, and creating a world beyond teaching and research.
He made the call as the Guest Lecturer during the 51st convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
While discussing the topic titled ‘University Autonomy and the Challenge of Sustainable Education Funding in Nigeria,” he said “Our universities should be encouraged and supported to seek alternative and additional revenue sources, developing a range of pathways and mechanisms including ventures related to their core business and education delivery, research and services such as consultancy, clinical medical services, agribusiness, technology parks and innovation hubs that will be self-financing to generate surplus income to the university and similar initiatives.
“Hence, this implies rethinking stakeholders’ involvement in education financing to secure a qualitative and functional tertiary education system, which is an essential tool for sustainable development.”
While addressing the graduates, the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Professor Charles Igwe, advised the graduating students to stay hopeful and ambitious, assuring them that better days lie ahead of them irrespective of the depleting state of the Nigerian economy.
He further assured the graduates that there are opportunities for everyone in the labour market, adding that the degree and diploma certificates awarded to them are recognized and valued across the globe.
However, he encouraged them to consider furthering their studies and taking internship roles to garner experience if they want the job of their dreams.
The ceremony ended with the Valedictory Speech of the best-graduating student of the University for the 2020/2021 graduating set , Vivian Urama, who emerged with a total CGPA of 4.99 in the Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture.
She said that success comes to those who truly distinguish themselves. She gave a vote of thanks to the Vice Chancellor, and the University for making her stay in the University memorable.
The University equally confer honorary doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) to two eminent Nigerians who have excelled and distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and in their services to the country and humanity.
While a Doctor of Public Administration was conferred on Ogbonna Onovo, a former Inspector General of Police, Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe, the current MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank PLC was conferred with a Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).
