Pro-Chancellors advocate introduction of tuition fees in Nigerian Universities

According to latest reports, the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities on yesterday called for the introduction of tuition fees in federal universities to support funding of the universities.

This is contained in a communiqué signed by Kimse Okoko, chairman of the committee, in Abuja. The Pro-Chancellors decried the resistance to introduce tuition in some universities by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and Students’ Union Government.

According to the committee, the resistance is based on the argument that the introduction of tuition may take university education beyond the reach of the poor. It stated that the argument can be addressed by reviving avenues for financing indigent students including the revival of the student loans schemes, bursaries and scholarship, education bank, among other initiatives.

The communiqué also stated that students who could afford to pay should be allowed to do so. Though federal universities do not charge tuition fees, students pay for several other fees which are sometimes considered expensive and have led to protests by students and staff.

The committee also stressed the need to reposition the Nigerian public university system for global competitiveness in the 21st century, adding that increase funding was critical to achieve the repositioning. The pro-chancellors said that government could not single-handedly fund the university system and pull it out of its current state in spite of its best efforts and intentions.

The communiqué resolved that universities must explore new sources of funding, such as grants from local and multilateral agencies and joint venture investments. It also urged the universities to explore facilities in the capital market, endowments, research for industries, and alumni endowments,among others.

The pro-chancellors also urged universities to be more entrepreneurial in their operations and leverage on their areas of comparative advantagete partner with industries in their localities.

Hehe oh!!!  I question if these Pro Chancellors abi what are they called are in their right senses. As if they aint aware of what's going on in LASU.. Nonchench talk!