The Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, Prof. Abiodun Gabriel Adeniyi, has called for greater government support for private universities, saying they contribute to the same national human-capital development goals as public institutions.
Adeniyi made the call on Monday when Education Correspondents visited the university, stressing that private institutions face huge financial demands in providing quality education, infrastructure, qualified personnel and meeting regulatory requirements.
He said private universities should not be regarded solely as profit-making ventures, noting that graduates of both private and public universities contribute to the Nigerian workforce and economy.
“Anybody who thinks it is a profit-making organisation is just making a mistake. Look at what it entails to hire staff, buy facilities, provide utilities and execute huge capital-intensive projects. It is difficult,” he said.
Adeniyi welcomed the possibility of TETFund extending more support to private universities, commending its Executive Secretary for initiatives that have opened some research programmes to private institutions.
He said such interventions would strengthen their capacity to provide quality education and remain sustainable.
The Vice-Chancellor said Baze University, established about 15 years ago by its Founder and Chancellor, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, had invested in infrastructure, academic standards and a conducive learning environment despite receiving no direct government allocation.
He added that the university had maintained compliance with requirements of the National Universities Commission, JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education, while recruiting scholars from Nigeria and abroad and planning to introduce international external examiners.
On research, Adeniyi described it as the “hallmark of development,” saying Baze was expanding partnerships and programmes to strengthen its research culture.
He said the university also focused on equipping students with entrepreneurial and transferable skills to prepare them for a changing labour market, citing its participation in the World Bank-supported IDEAS programme.
Adeniyi also dismissed perceptions that Baze University was mainly for politicians, saying its student population included Nigerians and students from other African countries.
He said the university would continue to expand steadily while adhering to regulatory requirements and contributing to Nigeria’s educational development.
