₦airaland Forum

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerian universities to expand their international reach by attracting foreign students as a strategic move to diversify revenue sources and ease pressure on government funding.

He spoke on Tuesday at the maiden annual lecture of Osun State University in Osogbo, with the theme: “Interrogating the Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives.

Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said universities worldwide rely on fees from international students to subsidise domestic education, a model Nigeria must now emulate.

He expressed concern over the sustainability of public university education in the country, especially as nearly two million young Nigerians seek university admission annually.

“Whilst we must remain dedicated to the idea of ensuring university education for all who desire it, we can no longer escape the reality that unless urgent action is taken to address existing and expected funding challenges, we are in an accelerated trend towards a future where our public universities become mere diploma mills, instead of citadels of learning and innovation,” he warned.

“There are over 130 public universities nationwide, and almost two million young people seek admission every year. The truth is that neither the federal government nor the states can afford to sustain this number without establishing alternative revenue streams for the institutions.”

Gbajabiamila noted that international students serve as a vital revenue stream for universities across the globe and suggested that Nigerian institutions emulate this model.

“Public universities in Nigeria can and should look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students willing and able to pay fees that might otherwise be practically and politically inexpedient for native students,” he said.

He also encouraged policymakers and university administrators to study how universities in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa have managed to draw international students—including many Nigerians—and replicate such strategies.

In his remarks, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, commended the university’s Senate for institutionalising an annual lecture series that fosters meaningful discourse on critical educational issues.

“With the knowledge we have all gained from this lecture, I am convinced that this annual event is never a waste of time or resources. I am particularly happy about the theme of this lecture and the calibre of the speaker. His thoughts will undoubtedly help guide policymakers at all levels,” Adeleke said.

Mindlog:
Nigerian public universities source foreign students.....what a joke! 😃

helinues:
Abi. Thats logical

But they also need to upgrade themselves to standard. Reasonable number of the government tertiary hostels are nothing to write about

anayolity:
Let their own children come back and attend the schools.

helinues:
Abi. Thats logical

But they also need to upgrade themselves to standard. Reasonable number of the government tertiary hostels are nothing to write about

tollyboy5:
Are the children of Femi gbajabiamila studying in Nigeria Universities?