Osuntokun Gives FG, States Condition to Establish New Universities 

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti 

Eighty-two-year-old professor of history Jide Osuntokun has called on the federal and state governments and private entities to stop establishing new universities unless they are fully prepared to fund them.

The scholar who urged stakeholders to prioritise funding of the existing universities emphasized that adequate funding is a necessary tool to pivot the affairs of all institutions towards achieving the primary aim of establishing such universities.

Delivering a lecture titled: ‘Nigeria With The Context of Global University Development’ in Ikere Ekiti, during the maiden convocation ceremony of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), Osuntokun insisted that capital deficiency would make such citadels of learning crumble.

At the event attended by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and other eminent personalities, Osuntokun urged the Senate to ensure only well-planned and adequately funded universities are established.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji said that his administration places a high premium on innovation and entrepreneurship that will empower students and young professionals with skills, tools, and mindsets necessary for self-reliance, job creation, and economic independence.

Specifically, Oyebanji pointed out that his government is equipping the youths with academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for the demands of an evolving world.

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)  and the Chancellor of BOUESTI, Chief Wole Olanipekun, also advocated adequate funding for the institution and other state-owned universities, calling on the state government, donor agencies, among others, to assist the citadel of learning.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olufemi Adeoluwa, who explained that the university was adjudged the best university of education in Sub-Saharan Africa at the University of Rwanda in 2022, highlighted the achievements of the university to include securing accreditation of 78 programmes by the National Universities Commission, increase in enrolment of students, well-equipped library with free access to internet, among others.

He stated that 1,109 students graduated, comprising 37 who bagged first class, 426 second class upper division, 586 in second class lower division and 60 in third class.