The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • Foreign scholarship: NDDC interviews 1,050 candidates

    Foreign scholarship: NDDC interviews 1,050 candidates

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said it has commenced oral interviews for 1,050 candidates seeking for its foreign post-graduate scholarship programme.

    Its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said this at the launch of the programme on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

    Ogbuku said the interview would last for over 11 days.

     He said the interviewees passed the computer-based test written by no fewer than 5,000 applicants a fortnight ago.

    “The interview is going to be done based on merit, and this is the reason we came to monitor the process, to show our support for what is going on.

     “We believe that the best scholars will be selected among the 1,050 candidates, who will then be sent out to represent our country.

    “The interview panel was randomly selected to ensure fairness because the 200 scholars to be selected will be our ambassadors,” he said.

    Ogbuku said the commission had not increased the number of beneficiaries of the scholarship due to funding challenge.

    “We increased the allowance for the studies from 30,000 U.S. Dollars (N24.55 million) to 40,000 U.S. Dollars (N32.73 million), and this affected our finances, making it necessary for us to create a balance.

     “However, from 2024, we hope to reduce the number because of the high foreign exchange rate, while introducing scholarships for undergraduate students in Nigerian universities.

     “The introduction of scholarships in our universities will enable us to accommodate more persons in our scholarship programme,” he said.

    Also, the Director for Education, Health and Social Services, NDDC, Dr George Uzonwanne, said the interview process followed international best practices to produce the best scholars.

    Read Also: Fasoranti, Falae, others intervene in Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s feud

    Uzonwanne said the interview panellists were assembled from different disciplines in universities across the Niger Delta.

    The NDDC Deputy Director, Education, Mrs. Idara Akpabio, said the scholarship covered disciplines in engineering, including biomedical, software, marine, mechanical, electrical/electronic, and robotic.

    “Others are information technology, artificial intelligence, mathematics and sciences, medical sciences, hospitality management, law, architecture and environmental science,” Akpabio said.

     One of interviewees, Andy Imabibo, described the selection process as transparent and commended the commission for giving them the opportunity to study abroad.

    Another participant, Miss Kio Iyala, said the examination preceding the interview was hitch-free.

      “The timing of the examination was accurate, while the entire process was smooth.

     “One week after the computer-based test, I got a message to come for this interview today.

        “I hope to be selected among the final 200 scholars,” Iyala said.

  •  Deepening industry, academia partnership imperative, says Olugbodi

     Deepening industry, academia partnership imperative, says Olugbodi

    Executive Vice Chairman of Verdant Zeal Group, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, has said bridging the gap between industry and the academia is pivotal to tackling low productivity and poor economic growth.

    According to the expert, there exists a very low and slow translation of research work into marketable products.

    He described the coming together of the two sectors as a fertile ground for innovation.

    Olugbodi, an alumnus of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, delivered the institution’s Faculty of Social Sciences Open Lecture last week on campus. It had as theme: “Collaborative innovation: bridging the knowledge and research gap between industry and academia”.

    He decried the questionable and slow pace of academia-industry collaboration, adding that deepening such partnership was imperative in addressing societal problems and shaping the nation’s future.

    The business mogul said it was vital to address challenges facing the academia to boost its relevance and growth.

    Olugbodi said the partnership between industry, academia and government is essential for innovation and development, sustainable progress and prosperity.

    He said industry-academia relations would effectively tackle real-world problems with fresh perspectives, rigorous research and cutting-edge technology.

    “The pharmaceutical industry frequently collaborates with universities to develop new drugs and treatments. Similarly, the renewable energy sector relies on academic research to advance sustainable technologies. These partnerships not only benefit industries by solving critical problems but also contribute to the wellbeing of society,” he said.

    Read Also: A’Court lays to rest Kano judgment CTC controversy

     According to Olugbodi investment in partnerships is a win-win situation for the both academia and industry such that the former trains individuals with foundational knowledge, while the latter has the practical experience and real-world insights to absorb them. This, he said, can ensure alignment with labour market needs.

    He said industries are crucial to innovation and development through job creation, adding that they stimulate economic stability leading to an enabling environment for innovation and investment in research.

    The convener of the famous Innovation Series, a yearly thought leadership foray dedicated to front-lining new development routes for societal progress, urged the country to tap into the productive capacity of its youths for economic advancement.

    “The most important weapon for Nigeria’s growth remains its population-if mined positively. Nigeria has the highest population of youths in the world, with a median age of 18. About 70 per cent of the population is under 30 and 42 percent is under 15. Imagine the productive capacity that can be unleashed if well tapped,” he said.

    He said through entertainment the nation had earned better global recognition through the combined exploits of hip hop artistes including Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, among others, than it had received from political leaders since 1999.

    Olugbodi stressed the need to nurture and promote academia-industry relationship to ensure a better and more prosperous future for the nation.

  • Foundation rewards 18 science students

    Foundation rewards 18 science students

    Dr. Ekunsami Scholarship Foundation has rewarded  18 science students of  the United Grammar School, (UGS), Ode Irele, in Ondo State for emerging the best in their various categories as part of efforts to spur them to academic excellence.

    According to the foundation, the recipients were the best students in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Integrated Science at both junior and senior secondary school levels.

    Presenting  the cash awards over the weekend, founder of the foundation, and an alumnus of the school, Dr. Bamidele Ekunsanmi, in a message to the occasion, said the Dr Dele Ekunsanmi Scholarship Foundation was set up in 2003 to help indigent students through high school and college education.

    Represented by a retired CSO at the  Federal Airports Authority Nigeria, (FAAN), Mrs. Beatrice Obanla (nee Ekunsanmi), he said the foundation  “set up  in memory of my late parents Chief Olaniyi Ekunsanmi and Lady Elizabeth Ekunsanmi, has since then awarded over 50 scholarships and prizes to deserving students both in Nigeria and the United States.”

    Read Also: Fasoranti, Falae, others intervene in Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s feud

    Dr Ekunsanmi, who graduated from the school in 1977,  is a practising Medical Consultant of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology in the United States. He is a Prince from the Opetusin Royal family in Irele Kingdom. Chairman of the occasion, Chief Tokunbo Ilesanmi, who expressed excitements over the awards, celebrated the awardees and  urged other students to improve on their academic performance, not only to qualify for future awards, but become better citizens and professionals.  

    Principal of UGS, Mr. Akinmeji, praised the initiative, stating that it would go a long way to motivate the awardees to improve on their academic performance especially in the science subjects. He advised other ex-students of the school to sponsor similar awards in the art subjects.

  • BUA Group Chairman gets UNIMAID honour

    BUA Group Chairman gets UNIMAID honour

    University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has honoured Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu with a honorary degree.

    This took place at the university’s 24th combined convocation in recognition of his significant contributions to national development, education, and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. This was just as the N1 billion Abdul Samad Rabiu International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship was inaugurated and handed over to the university.

    The centre  is a modern, state-of-the-art facility with  administrative offices, dynamic workstations, creative conceptual hubs, a welcoming cafeteria, an extensive library, and an exhibition hall,among others.

    Rabiu said the centre sponsored by ASR Africa was an innovative hub of ideas, creativity, and practical entrepreneurship.   “In a world where economies are rapidly evolving and Nigeria strides towards renewed hope, centres  like this are vital for development. They are the platforms for nurturing our future leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. We must not just learn; we must act,” he said.

    Read Also: A’Court lays to rest Kano judgment CTC controversy

     MD/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh who lauded Rabiu for the project,noted that the centre would boost economic and social growth, offering a global platform for innovative expression and fostering partnerships with leading international educational  institutions.

    Eminent personalities at the event included,  Vice President Kashim Shettima,  Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, royal fathers, other distinguished guests, the student community, among others.

    Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development in Africa.

  • ‘We were deceived into applying for AAUA part-time programmes’

    ‘We were deceived into applying for AAUA part-time programmes’

    • University denies promise on service

    The graduating students of privately-owned College of Education, Ero in Ondo State, attached to the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, have protested, demanding explanations on why they had not been mobilised for national service having completed their programme, Osagie Otabor writes

    LAST week, the management of a privately owned College of Education, Ero in Ondo State was forced to shut down the institution and asked its students to vacate campus. The shutting down of academic activities at the college was due to a two-day riot by part -time students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akunga. Proprietor of the institution, Prince Peter Fasua Oyeleye, was whisked away from the institution by heavily armed policemen after the protesting students held him hostage for over six hours.

    Regular students of the institution were chased from their lecture halls and their hostels, even as some buildings were vandalised.

    Prince Fasua, who announced closure of the institution, urged the protesting students to remain calm and told the regular students that the closure was a temporary measure to restore sanity to the institution as well as ensure their safety.

    Trouble started in the institution when the first set of part-time graduates of the institution were offered exemption letter from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The protesters demanded explanations on why they had not been mobilised for national service, having completed their programme. They also demanded refund of their tuition fees, saying they were deceived into registering into the college for the degrees.

    In 2017, Prince Fasua entered into an affiliation with the management of AAUA to run degree programmes. During the matriculation ceremony, the students were assured that they would be mobilised to participate in the NYSC scheme.

    Vice Chancellor of AAUA, Prof. Olugbenga lge, whose speech was read by a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Gbore, said: “This is a programme of Adekunle Ajasin University being supervised through the Institute of Education of the university. This will be done in order to protect the integrity of our certificates wherever you take it to. You can be rest assured all our courses are accredited by the National University Commission (NUC). Also successful graduates of this programme here in this college will be posted for the NYSC programme as appropriate.”

    Read Also: Fasoranti, Falae, others intervene in Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s feud

    It was gathered that efforts to mobilise the first set of graduands for national service failed. The students said they paid N7,000 each to secure admission letters from the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), but what they got was exemption letters.

    Officials of JAMB in Akure, who spoke on anonymity, said watertight proof has been put in place to bar universities from mobilisising part-time students to participate in the NYSC scheme.

    The affected part-time students vowed to reject any offer of exemption letter from the management of AAUA. They said they were lured to register for various programmes at the College of Education, Ero, because of the promise to be mobilised for national service.

    One of the graduates, Folayan Oluwatomehin, said the incumbent VC of AAUA was at their matriculation ceremony, where he told them they would go for NYSC.

    He said: “The Director at the main campus has always assured us that everything was under control. We went for JAMB regularisation to enable us print out admission letters from JAMB. What caused the protest was when the set they graduated before us got exemption letters. The JAMB portal did not open for us to register our details.

    “We are still young. We were promised NYSC mobilisation. Giving us exemption letters is a no. We will reject it. That is what all the students are saying.”

    Immediate past SUG president, Miss Awoyemi Folawemi, said she felt bad because she escaped being attacked by the protesting students because they accused her of lying.

    “I am about to write my final examination. I felt bad. I was part of the executive that used to go to the main campus to talk to our professors and directors. The students almost beat me up during the protest that I was their spokesperson when everything about the programme was fake. I want a solution to clear my name. What they told us at the main campus was that they will take our results to Abuja and from there, they will give us notification to enable us collect our call up letters for NYSC.

    “I  now heard that the 2021 sets were given exemption letters, whereas some of them were within the age bracket to go for NYSC. When we protested, the spokesman for AAUA said our argument was a fallacy that what was in the MOU was that we would be given exemption letters, but Prof. Gbore told us we would be mobilised for NYSC. They should give us that.

    “What the AAUA management is saying is contradicting. What they told us is different from what is happening now.”

    Another student, Olusola Bideni Gbenga, said his parents were already waiting for him to embark on NYSC.

    “I feel so sad because they are digressing from what they promised us. Our parents sent us to the institution because of the advert they heard that we will be mobilised for NYSC. This has been our joy and our parents to serve our fathers land. I study Biology Education. They sent a representative to our matriculation. We won’t be happy if we are given exemption letters.”

    Spokesman for AAUA, Victor Akinpelumi, told our reporter that the school never promised that it would mobilise its part-time students under affiliate institutions for the NYSC scheme.

    Akinpelumi said students of affiliate institution were part time students and that only regular students that passed through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) were allowed into the NYSC scheme.

    “We are not saying they are not our students. They are part-time students. The best we can do for them is to help them secure exemption letters from the NYSC. There was nothing in the MOU that said the students will be mobilised for NYSC.”

    Prince Fasua absolved himself of any plan to deceive the public, saying it was AAUA management that promised the students the NYSC scheme.

    Fasua said he never ran foul of the terms and agreement in the MOU signed with management of AAUA even as he assured the affected students that the issue would be resolved amicably.

    “The university should come out and apologise to the students on why they cannot mobilise them for NYSC. They should explain to the students. We were given letters to go to JAMB office for results. We went there and the portal did not open.  You have seen the video where the VC was represented and he said the students would be mobilised for NYSC.

    “I was held for six hours by the students yesterday. I did not deceive them.”

  • Vive Africa, University of Warwick release Face of Education Africa list 2023

    Vive Africa, University of Warwick release Face of Education Africa list 2023

    To highlight education as a critical imperative for accelerated development and spotlight the sector’s key players, Vive Africa has announced its definitive list of 25 Africans changing the face of education and creating a sustainable impact.

    This list which was powered by a leading academic institution, the University of Warwick, and supported by the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, Face of Education Africa spotlights key actors at the forefront of efforts to leverage education “in its broadest sense” to exchange ideas, share knowledge, drive initiatives, and create opportunities.

    “Face of Education Africa is a follow-up to the widely popular Nigeria-focused edition which was released in February,” said Isime Esene who led the Independent Selection Committee (ISC). “Its aim is to spotlight personalities across the African continent who are creating impact and rewriting a new global narrative through education.

    “Therefore, it is not just a list, but a signpost to the incredible feats that can be achieved through collaborations and knowledge exchange beyond borders.”

    The Face of Education Africa list was curated by an Independent Selection Committee based on a variety of criteria including – but not limited to – potential, social impact, scale, influence, and vision. This year’s list consists of inspired personalities and change makers spread across 9 countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

    Read Also: Presidency tackles Atiku over claim on court verdicts

    Speaking on the list, Caroline Rushingwa, International Recruitment Lead, Africa, University of Warwick and Chair, Africa Regional Interest Group of the British Universities’ International Liaison Association (BUILA) said: “We are delighted to partner with Vive Africa to spotlight these incredible personalities creating impact in communities across Africa and beyond. We will continue to engage credible partners on the continent who share our passion for developing human capital by providing quality international education and encouraging the exchange of ideas.”

    The face of Education Africa 2023, has been described by observers as the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of the education sector, including personalities such as Sim Shagaya, Group CEO, uLesson Group and Chancellor at Miva Open University (Nigeria); Teresa Mbagaya, Principal at Imaginable Futures (Kenya); Mike Skosana, Co-founder and Director, Crystal MG Trading and Projects (South Africa); Peter Kwadwo Asare Nyarko, Co-founder & Executive Director, Centre for Financial Literacy Education Africa (Ghana), Dipo Awojide, Founder, BTDT Hub (Nigeria), amongst others.

  • Ondo lawmaker supports students with educational materials

    Ondo lawmaker supports students with educational materials

    The lawmaker representing Ondo East/West federal constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Abiola Makinde, has supported primary and secondary school students in the constituency with educational materials to boost their academic performance.

    Laptops, projectors, textbooks on different subjects, notebooks, chairs and lockers were presented to students by Makinde at the 8th edition of the annual provision of instructional materials to students in Ondo town.

    The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, has been embarking on the gesture years before emerging as a federal House of Representatives member.

    Speaking on motive behind the empowerment, the lawmaker, who was recently conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Financial Management at Wesley University, Ondo, noted:”My wife and I, while in our moment of respective struggles, received support at some point which proved to be a turning point in our lives.

    “It is part of the reasons we are determined to be pillars of support to others at this time as we had been beneficiaries of such in the time past.”

    Read Also: Impeachment: Appeal Court rejects Ondo Assembly’s request  on deputy governor

    “These students are our tomorrow, No prosperous nation cast kids away. Rather, they are built and made to go through comprehensive education so they can be useful to themselves and the nation in years to come.”

    “What we have done here at this annual provision of instructional materials to primary and secondary school in my federal constituency, is to contribute our quota immensely to the lives of these kids.

    “This is also in furtherance of my campaign mantra, WEALTH, which stands for Water, Education, Agriculture, Light, Training, and Health.”

    Some of the beneficiaries expressed profound gratitude to Makinde, promising that that they will make judicious use of the items given to them to the advancement of their academics.”

  • How Nigerian varsities can become world class – Covenant VC

    How Nigerian varsities can become world class – Covenant VC

    The Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Abiodun Adebayo, has said that Nigerian universities require intensive and impactful research as well as teaching and community service to emerge world-class.

    Adebayo said this at a workshop in the University of Benin organised by the University of Benin’s Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI).

    Tagged, ‘University Ranking: Experiences of Covenant University,’, the Vice-Chancellor said that universities in Nigeria could not continue to do what they were used to and expect different results.

    Covenant University, he said, had long resolved to be doing even what the world-class universities, such as Harvard and Oxford, were not doing; hence its high rating amongst the world’s higher institutions.

    “Most universities in Nigeria concentrate on teaching and, perhaps, community service and have left out the area of research.

    “Impactful research is almost non-existent in most of the universities,” Adebayo said.

    According to him, to secure first ranking in Africa, the university had set a vision of 10:2022, meaning to be among the best 10 in the world by 2022.

    He said that although the University of Benin was not doing badly, it would need to improve on its publications, particularly in Q1 and Q2 journals.

    Besides teaching, research, and impact, Adebayo identified citation, reputation, international outlook, and industry income as other metrics considered for university ranking across the world.

    “You have to go beyond your best to accomplish some of those things. If we want to become world-class universities, beyond classroom teachings, we have to spend extra time doing the research. We must go beyond the kind of civil service work we do”.

    “The world is a global village and the rankings of universities have really come to stay. Whether or not you wish to be ranked, you will be ranked. It is high time, whether management, staff or students, we worked together to see that we place our universities on the world map, standing at par with other world universities,” he said.

     Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami, said that the lecture had brought out all the deficiencies as well as the things that the institution was doing right.

    “I think the most important thing is that we all have determined that we can do it because he has simplified how we can get to that world-class level. At the University of Benin, we are also proud to be the University of the Universe, but we must match our words with our actions. So, our students and staff; we challenge you to step into the shoes of a digital generation.

    Read Also: Covenant varsity alumni announces graduating students award recipients

    “Some of our students are coming up with some innovations that we never thought would happen at the university. We are almost there and we can get there. What is left for us is to be determined, dedicated, and willing to learn. There is no one who is too old to learn,” Salami said.

    Speaking with newsmen, Leader, CERHI, Professor Friday Okonofua said the lecture had opened the University to what it should be doing. We thought that what we needed to do was to rejig the university towards high ranking, for the entire institution to be aware of what the issues are.

    “I knew the University Community was not fully aware. That is why I organized this lecture, and we are going to do more because we want to create awareness. It is only when staff and students are aware of this fact that the university ranking will improve,” Okonofua said.

  • 60-year-old Farouk Sanni bags First Class in Sociology from UI, wins eight awards

    60-year-old Farouk Sanni bags First Class in Sociology from UI, wins eight awards

    60-year-old Farouk Sanni has emerged as the best graduating student in the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan.

    Farouk Sanni, a retired banker, who said he felt accomplished with studying sociology in his quest to understand why people behave the way they behave, said he had read accounting at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as an imposed course by an uncle.

    Alhaji, as fondly called, the best graduating student, narrated his experience at the 75th convocation ceremony at the University of Ibadan.

    According to him, he took up the challenge to stay healthy and pursue his quest to understand human behaviour after retiring from UBA and had to write JAMB to be admitted to study sociology.

    Read Also; Eight best workouts for men over 50 for healthy life

    Sanni, who bagged eight awards as a result of the feat, said he wrote JAMB with his child, who is now studying law at the University of Ibadan.

    He said: “Studying in a class where you have those who are of the same age as your children can be very challenging, but I was magnanimous to accommodate what happened. Some called me Daddy, some called me Mr Sanni while some will even say “he may be a daddy but he is not my father”. I experienced a lot of things, but as an old person, I was able to remain focussed.”

    Speaking on the feat of Mr Sanni, Dr Oludayo Tade a lecturer in the department, said the best-graduating student had a chair which he tied to a tree where he read under a tree in the faculty of the social sciences.

    He said: “This 60-year-old man, Mallam F. K. Sanni graduated with FIRST CLASS in Sociology, University of Ibadan as the best student in his set, and with that won 8 awards.”

    “He has two undergraduate children in UI at the moment. Until he graduated, he picked and dropped his two children at lecture halls, and most of the time, I met him reading under the tree on Saturday and Sunday.”

    “On Ileya day, I saw him at the usual reading space under a faculty tree, where he had brought a chair tied to the tree to use whenever he came around to read. I asked him jokingly: Alhaji ni Ojo Ileya, he said Oga, I have bought everything they needed for them oooo. Staying with them will distract me, Sir.”

  • New private university takes off in Ekiti

    New private university takes off in Ekiti

    A new private institution, Hillside University of Science and Technology, Okemesi-Ekiti, in Ekiti state has been inaugurated by the National University Commission (NUC)

    The inauguration ceremony was attended by stakeholders in the nation’s education sector, government representatives, religious and traditional leaders including development partners in and outside the country.

    Speaking during the ceremony, the proprietor of the university and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Olaoye Jaiyeola said his idea behind the establishment of the institution was necessitated as a result of his commitment to the advancement of the nation’s education sector especially in the area of science and technology.

    Jaiyeola explained that graduates from the new university would be equipped with modern skills and technical abilities to deliver clear cut solutions to myriad of challenges confronting humanity and the society.

    The renowned economist stated that the university would serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development of the host community and the state, noting that collaboration with the government had been secured towards impacting the society.

    According to him, ” In Ekiti here, we are a fountain of knowledge and if we all stay in Lagos, that is why you will see an increase in migration to the cities. So, we think about how we can build our own state, how we can create an environment for jobs for our people because I want to retire and live in this town . How can I ensure that everybody here at home is doing well , that is basically my drive in establishing this university.

    ” This university will do a lot in the development of our educational system especially in the area of science and technology and solving societal problems . We have signed a partnership with the Ekiti state government to use technology in knowing what is happening in not only in health, including agriculture and the rest

    ” A lot of courses that the regulatory agency has given approval to do are not just courses but contemporary courses . Part of what we are doing is to prepare our people to be able to tackle the challenges now and in the future and make them contribute to the Nigerian economy, starting from my hometown.”

    On the increasing numbers of universities, especially private ones in the country , the proprietor said, ” we don’t have enough universities, that is the fact. If you look at the numbers of people that seek admission every year, you will find out that we don’t have enough.

    ” Another thing I want us to bear in mind is the fact that we have a young population and
    about 70 percent of our people are under 30. Therefore, if you don’t spend time to work on demand skills, skills that will be required, you won’t see anyone to solve our problems and that is why I will want the federal government to make our universities more entrepreneurial to prepare people for skills development for tomorrow’s job.”

    The Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Mayaki commended the proprietor for his dedication to the advancement of education and learning in the country, adding that the commission would continue to partner with individuals and organisations that would contribute to the development of education.

    Represented by the Director of Human Resources, Boniface Odum, the NUC boss maintained that the commission would continue in its core mandate of ensuring improvement in the sector in line with global best practices.

    Read Also: Autonomous status granted Ahun-Ekiti well deserved – Oba Adelowo

    He dismissed the insinuations of some people over the proliferation of universities in the country, saying, ” the present number of universities can’t address our needs, we still need more universities especially when you look at other countries in the western world, we are still very far behind.”

    On his part, the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro expressed delight over the establishment of the institution in the state, which he said would scale up access to university education by teeming applicants.

    He reiterated the government’s readiness to support the institution towards success and that the administration would remain committed to initiating policies and programs that would attract more investment into the state across all sectors of the economy.