Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos has explained why it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Government to offer free education at the tertiary level.
TheNewsZenith reports that Ogunsola explained this while presenting the 3rd Virtual Lecture Series organised by the University of Lagos Mass Communication Class of 1988 (“TOPAZ Class or ’88”), recently in Lagos.
“One of the good things that is coming out of the challenges we are having in the education sector is that gradually ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) and the committee (Committee of Vice Chancellors) are beginning to realize that: Look, whenever you increase the numbers … what we call massification of education…
“And every country has gone through it; that ever started with `no fees’. Once more and more people need it, it becomes difficult to give education, at the tertiary level, absolutely free.
“It’s when you are small….. that the numbers are small, that you can do that effectively.
“But the way universities are going, they are expensive to run.
“Let me just say that yes, the committee are moving. We engage government at all levels – NUC, Ministry of Education and it’s been yielding results.
“It’s just that these are advocacies; you articulate your position and you share with the government.
“But I have to say that this government has been more listening than the previous ones,” the VC said.
TheNewsZenith recalls that TOPAZ, the Class of ’88, had earlier held two series of this virtue lecture.
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka delivered the first lecture on Life After Retirement with the theme “Bright Side of Life after Work”.
Mr Zaccheus Adedeji, the current Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service delivered the second lecture series. His presentation was titled: “Revenue, Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria Today”.
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