‘Funding Is Bane Of Africa’s Development’

A senior lecturer in the Philosophy Department, University of Lagos, Professor Olumuyiwa Adebanjo Falaiye, has described lack of proper funding of the education sector as the major problem hindering Africa’s development.

Prof. Falaiye, who celebrated his 50th birthday at the institution penultimate week, said Africa needs to take a cue from other developed countries by investing more in the education sector.

According to Prof. Falaiye, “Firstly, the government needs to realise that no development takes place without proper funding of the education sector, and I think this has been the bane of development in Africa as a whole.

“Countries that have developed are those that placed premium on their education sector, those who have provided enough incentive for people who want to do research,” he added.

Falaiye stated that countries that have not done that have been sliding down  the academic development ladder, stressing that government should start by understanding the fact that nothing can happen without education.

“But you see, the problem government has is that money spent on education does not seem to yield immediate results. But you have to plan for the future. Development is a long planning process. So if you do not immediately see the result of the money you are pumping in, you will realise that your generation yet to come will be the utmost beneficiaries of it.

“So, government must increase funding for education generally. And of course, those who manage education must be prepared to be transparent because sometimes, the funding come to the universities and you don’t see what it is used for.

“I don’t blame government for everything, we also blame ourselves and the society that believes that people should be measured in terms of physical acquisitions.

“People who have mental knowledge and intellectual capacity are hardly recognised, and this is unfortunate. So it is a systemic thing which can only be corrected through a holistic approach towards values and orientation of the society; and this is very important,” he explained.

He, however, noted that authorities of the University of Lagos,to a large extent, have created a conducive working environment for its staff.

—Eromosele Ebhomele