Owolabi University Vice-Chancellor questions parental funding priorities for tertiary education.
Prof. Samuel Adedotun, the Vice-Chancellor of Owolabi University in Oke-Ila Orangun, Osun State, recently criticized a growing trend among parents regarding higher education financing. Speaking with journalists at the Osogbo campus on Friday, he pointed out a major contradiction in how families allocate financial resources for schooling.
The academic leader highlighted that many parents readily pay substantial sums for private secondary education, yet paradoxically expect tertiary education to be entirely free or heavily subsidized. According to information published by punchng, Adedotun stressed that maintaining a good university system requires serious financial commitment from all stakeholders.
This debate comes as Nigeria faces broader structural challenges in the academic sector, including institutional accreditation, carrying capacities, and systemic funding gaps. The university administrator called for an immediate shift in national attitudes toward funding higher education to secure a stable future for younger scholars.
The economics of private university education in Nigeria
Adedotun argued that quality tertiary education can neither be free nor cheap in the modern economic landscape. He noted that paying private university fees remains a matter of choice, but society must stop treating the sector with casual financial seriousness.
To illustrate his point, the Vice-Chancellor noted that some parents pay upwards of N500,000 per term for secondary schooling, translating to over N1 million annually across multiple terms. Having two or three children in secondary school multiplies this financial burden significantly.
Despite committing millions to basic education, these same households often demand a free university education afterward. Adedotun firmly stated that stakeholders cannot expect to get the absolute best out of the academic system under such contradictory financial expectations.
National Universities Commission accreditation and campus programs
Amid these funding debates, Owolabi University has achieved significant institutional milestones by securing National Universities Commission accreditation for 15 academic programmes across three distinct faculties.
The institution offers specialized medical and allied courses, particularly within the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. Available programmes include Bachelor of Nursing, Doctor of Physiotherapy, and Bachelor of Science in Public Health.
Prospective students can also pursue degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics, Medical Laboratory Science, alongside courses housed within the Faculties of Science and Computing, and Management and Social Sciences.
Addressing the university admission deficit across Nigeria
Beyond funding models, Adedotun addressed the severe shortage of tertiary institutions capable of accommodating the rising population of aspiring students who sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examinations.
He explained that even when 30 to 40 percent of candidates achieve grades good enough to earn admission, existing public universities lack the physical capacity to absorb all qualified applicants.
This systemic deficit leaves many young candidates stranded without placement, prompting calls for the establishment of more private and public universities to meet the growing educational demands of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Owolabi University Vice-Chancellor say about parents?
Prof. Samuel Adedotun criticized parents who pay huge secondary school fees but expect free university education for their children, stating that good tertiary education cannot be free.
How many programmes have received National Universities Commission accreditation?
Owolabi University has successfully secured National Universities Commission accreditation for 15 academic programmes distributed across three different faculties.
Why are more universities needed in Nigeria according to the report?
Existing public universities lack the capacity to admit all qualified candidates, as many students who pass the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examinations still fail to secure admission.
