Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos has called for policy adjustments and payment of appropriate fees to enable Nigeria to run a world-class university system.
Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the First Female VC of UNILAG, delivered the 3rd Virtual Lecture Series organised by TOPAZ Class ’88 on Saturday
Ogunsola made this suggestion while presenting the Third Virtual Lecture Series of the University of Lagos Mass Communication TOPAZ ’88 on Saturday.
TheNewsZenith reports that TOPAZ ‘88 is a body of 1988 Graduates of Mass Communication of the University of Lagos.
Ogunsola titled the third lecture series: “Funding Tertiary Education: Challenges and Options”.
She also said “We have to invest more in other options for university education, using technology and not be too dependent on traditional university system”.
Ogunsola also called on the Federal Government to provide a grant tied to the student population in each federal university.
“Endowment funds should be released to the universities and the true cost of education should be determined and funding should be based on valid and reliable data.
Funds should be released periodically and the universities should be able to manage such funds independently.”
Research, the VC said, is expensive and must be properly funded. She urged the Federal Government to ensure the proper constitution of Governing Councils of the universities.
Members should include professionals who have a good understanding and vision of the system, rather than appointing politicians.
“Student loans, bursaries, work-study, scholarships from various sources and alumni support should be strengthened,” the first Female University of Lagos VC said.
Ogunsola, who is also the 13th VC of the UniLag, highlighted the challenges faced by federal universities, which she summed up as “majorly lacking adequate funding”.
“Every country is expected to spend between four and six per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on education.
“In Nigeria, we have never kept up with this recommendation, leaving the universities in a state where they could not efficiently transform people and materials into value for development.
