PROF. OLATUNJI-BELLO CLARIFIES REMARKS ON N1M UNIVERSITY FEES, SAYS QUALITY EDUCATION REQUIRES FUNDING
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The immediate-past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, has clarified remarks attributed to her regarding the cost of university education and institutional financial sustainability.
Olatunji-Bello had been widely quoted across social media as saying that students would need to pay ₦1 million in fees for public universities to achieve financial self-sustainability.
However, a statement issued to clarify the context of her remarks said her comments, made during a recent interview with The PUNCH, had been interpreted outside their original context.
According to the statement, the former vice-chancellor’s remarks were made against the backdrop of Nigerians’ expectations for university education that is comparable in quality to what is obtainable in other parts of the world.
It explained that her central argument was that providing the quality of undergraduate education Nigerians desire costs approximately ₦1 million per student annually.
The statement, however, stressed that Olatunji-Bello did not propose that the entire cost should necessarily be transferred to students or their parents.
Rather, it said, she advocated innovation and diversified revenue generation by universities as a pathway to achieving financial sustainability.
It cited her response to a question on institutional self-sustainability, where she said, “Universities can achieve financial self-sustainability. If they can innovate and ensure improvements in the institution, money will come in.”
She further said, “I enjoin parents to ensure their children are well-educated by prioritising their fees. Good quality education needs money.”
The statement said the comments, when considered in full, reflected a broader call for universities to develop innovative and diversified revenue streams to strengthen their financial sustainability.
It added that her remarks also highlighted the cost implications of providing quality education and the need for shared responsibility among universities, parents and other stakeholders.
The clarification urged members of the public, the media and stakeholders in the education sector to consider the former vice-chancellor’s complete remarks rather than relying on isolated excerpts.
It maintained that the full context was necessary for an accurate understanding of Olatunji-Bello’s position on university funding and financial sustainability.
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