The founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola and immediate past Chief Medical Director, University of Ibadan College Hospital(UCH), Prof Temitope Alonge, have said lack of autonomy and funding are the major banes militating against the growth of Nigerian universities.
Alonge, a professor of orthopedic and trauma surgery, also faulted over bureaucratization of universities setting.
Alonge spoke yesterday at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), while delivering a lecture entitled: ‘The Pearl in the Pack’, to mark the 10th Founder’s Day and 7th convocation ceremonies of the university.
He said meddlesomeness of the political elites in the university administration have polluted university education, saying virtually all public universities have now become critical outposts for building political clients and extending tentacles.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the refusal of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) to fund private universities, Alonge said “it is unacceptable and immoral for private universities that accounted for 45% of the universities in Nigeria to be denied grants and subvention.
“Since our universities are greatly politicised by government and unions, why then are we perturbed by the abysmal performances and challenges facing many federal and state owned universities today,” Alonge asked.
In his address, Chief Afe Babalola(SAN), said any university must be free to carry out research, look for funding, set criteria for admission, rather than depend on the government’s intervention.
“I purposely established this non-profit university to expose the rot in Nigeria education system and raise the bar of functional and quality education,” he said.