VC urges inclusion of private tertiary institutions in TETFund

The Federal Government has been urged to allow the inclusion of private tertiary institutions into the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund) projects.

Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, the Vice-Chancellor, Lead City University and the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellor of Private Universities in Nigeria, stated this on Monday during the celebration of the institution’s 20th anniversary.

“We’ve made our position known that private universities also should enjoy this and also our students should be allowed, maybe giving them scholarships, I mean, assist them with their school fees.

“Then apart from that, lecturers in private universities should also be allowed to enjoy this facility so that at the end of the day, they have a sense of belonging.

“At least TETFund money is taxpayer money and should not only be enjoyed by the federal government institutions alone,” Adeyemo said.

He urged the government to also create an enabling environment for private universities to allow its stakeholders survive in the sector.

Adeyemo said private tertiary institutions needed motivation to survive and achieve academic excellence and transformation for the overall development of the country.

The Vice-Chancellor said the student population at the institution grew from 4,000 to 20,000, adding that the institution’s programmes have also increased from 40 to about 120.

“There’s hardly any programme that you want to study in this university that is not available here.

“With the support of the Council, the Chairman of the Council, the management, and the teaching and non-teaching staff, we’re able to be where we are today,” Adeyemo said.

The VC said the institution would uphold excellence and leverage international partnerships, collaborations, technology and digital learning.

“We are going to make sure that we maintain the standard and ensure that the quality assurance that has been proposed, laid down by the NUC and other stakeholders are fully adhered to.

“So, we thank God for where we are and we shall continue to ensure that we continue to be on the forefront.

“The university has made tremendous, tremendous impact in terms of expansion, academic research, in terms of, at least we have gained so many research grants.