The Federal Government has urged Nigerian universities to diversify their funding sources in the face of economic challenges.
President Bola Ahmad Tinubu stated this at the 6th & 7th combined convocation ceremony of Federal University, Dutse, held on Saturday.
Represented by the Vice-Chancellor Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala, he emphasized the commitment of the administration to create an enabling environment for universities, albeit within the constraints of available resources.
He urged universities to proactively seek alternative funding avenues, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency in the current economic climate.
The President encouraged universities to explore international funding opportunities for research, urging them to tap into global resources by fostering collaborations and attracting funds from across the world.
According to him, “Funding of universities cannot be undertaken by the government alone, especially at a time when the country is facing economic challenges, with other competing demands from various other sectors.”
“However, this administration will always provide the enabling environment within the limit of available resources for universities to operate, as the flagship of our educational endeavor and the bedrock of our national development.”
“I also urge all universities to find ways of attracting funds for research from across the world and consider more viable options of resource mobilization to improve their IGR.”
He assured his administration’s commitment to continue to give the necessary support to enable universities to achieve the objectives for which they were established, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
