Prof. Ademola Tayo, the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University (BU) in Ogun State, has expressed concerns about the impact of high Tariffs on tertiary institutions, warning that it could jeopardise the quality of education. He urged the Federal Government to reconsider the Band A tariff for universities in order to prevent a potential collapse of the university system. Addressing attendees at Babcock University’s 22nd and 13th convocation ceremony in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, he announced the graduation of 2,842 students receiving first degrees and postgraduate honours. Among them, 132 individuals excelled with First Class in their respective fields by achieving a First Class distinction.
His perspective is that the rising Inflation rates in Nigeria pose a major obstacle to providing high-quality Education at an affordable cost to students. The increase in expenses, including staff salaries, student meals, and Infrastructure maintenance, are all impacted by inflation. Rising inflation is making it more difficult for academia to maintain standards, especially with the recent increase in Electricity tariff for Band A customers. This has led to a significant surge in monthly electricity expenses, adding to the challenges faced by educational institutions.
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Although facing this challenge, they remain committed to maintaining high educational standards and striving for excellence. They promise their stakeholders that they will work diligently within their means to reduce waste, save costs, and streamline operations without sacrificing quality. They urge the government to consider adjusting the electricity rates for institutions in Nigeria, as investing in education is vital for the country’s economic progress and advancement. They must establish policies that give top priority to funding education and help universities effectively manage the economic hurdles they are facing.
During his speech at the event, Governor Abiodun Oyebanjo of Ekiti State emphasised the importance of the institution maintaining high standards in educating the youth of Nigeria. On the other hand, Governor Adedapo Abiodun of Ogun State labelled the organisers of the upcoming nationwide Protest as aggrieved politicians who were unsuccessful in the 2023 general elections. Governor Abiodun, who is also the chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, urged young people to refrain from participating in the upcoming protest and instead communicate with the government through dialogue.
Governor Abiodun warned the students to beware of protest.
He emphasised that Nigerians should refrain from protesting at this time and instead encouraged young people to allow the Tinubu administration the opportunity to make improvements. He pointed out that the current administration has only been in office for a year and has inherited various issues to address. Tinubu is working hard to tackle these challenges. Continuous threats of protest in Nigeria may deter potential foreign investors. The country does not need the Disruption and instability caused by protests. It’s suspected that the planned protest is funded by unsuccessful politicians still bitter about losing elections.
The current administration has implemented programs to help improve the challenges faced by Nigerian youth. These initiatives include a new Minimum Wage and a Student Loan program. It is important for young people to communicate with the government about these issues. Protesting can result in casualties, damage to property, and reduced productivity. The planned protest sparked disagreement between Governor Abiodun and the graduating students’ parents. Despite being booed several times, the Governor remained undeterred and carried on with his speech.
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Moreover, Dr. Michael Ajala, President of the postgraduate class, shows his disapproval on Governor Abiodun’s stance on the potential strike. He urged Nigerian youth to advocate for Good Governance from political leaders, emphasising the importance of being on the right side of the issue. Ajala emphasised the importance of Nigerian youths actively engaging with their governors, chairmen and lawmakers to address societal issues. He urged them not to remain indifferent to the ongoing debate surrounding the planned protest.