The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, has said that the number of universities in the country is not enough given its population and charged individuals and organizations to invest in education by establishing private universities.
Delivering the convocation lecture Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Rasheed explained that Nigeria has just over a hundred universities for a population of over 180 million people.
In his lecture, the Executive Secretary insisted that Nigeria needs more universities if it would be able to compete favourably with other countries across the globe.
He said the future of higher education in the country lies with how the private universities are managed, saying that such universities should be able to fill the gap.
He disclosed that the NUC would soon convoke a summit for private universities in the country to review their activities, fine-tune their operations and assist them to be able to attain their goals.
In his address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdullateef Usman, reiterated the commitment of the university to academic excellence and assured that it will not relent in pursuing its core objectives in the area of quality lectures, tutorials, conduct of practical sessions and research as well as entrepreneurial studies.
At the convocation, 198 graduands got first degrees while honourary degrees were conferred on Alhaji Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola and Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN). Babalola who is the Deputy President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) was conferred with a Doctor of Science degree while Ali, who is the Pro Chancellor of Osun State University, was conferred with Doctor of Letters for their respective contributions to educational development in the country.
Dignitaries on the occasion included the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, the Executive Secretary, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) Professor Isaq Oloyede, the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola and the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Musa Animasaun among others.
Source: Daily Trust
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