Keep Eagle’s Eye On Private Varsities

A renowned Professor of Medicine, Prof. Olu Akinkugbe, has charged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to keep an eagle’s eye on private universities to prevent commercialisation of education.

He gave the charge on Saturday in Oshogbo while delivering a lecture entitled: “Nigeria’s Higher Education: 50 years after” to mark the maiden convocation ceremony of the Osun State University, Osogbo.

Akinkugbe also charged the commission to always investigate how many private universities were springing up in order to prevent the upsurge of unapproved institutions.

“The commission should also find out from time to time how far they are complying with the corporate academic practices and calendar,” he further advised.

The physician expressed the fear that private universities might want to sidetrack some of the established university tenets in their operations, if not well monitored.

He urged the management of the universities to provide enough funds for academic research in the interest of technological development of the country.

Akinkugbe observed that lack of research had caused a setback for the universities to compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

He said that the development had also hindered the growth of their scientific breakthrough and other academic excellence.

The physician, however, commended private universities for consistent academic development and discipline, better regimentation of the students, checking of cultism, examination malpractices and truancy, among other vices.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori.

Other dignitaries at the event included Prof. Peter Okebukola, former NUC Executive Secretary, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sola Akinriade and his colleagues from neighbouring universities.