By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Eight weeks after he said the government could not afford to fund education, President Muhammadu Buhari has reversed course to promise that his administration will allocate more resources to improve education countrywide.
“We will allocate an increasing share of resources to improve learning in the country in our effort to reform the educational sector,” he promised when he received at home in Daura a delegation from Premier Pacesetters School in the town.
Improving the quality of education will continue to be the government’s priority, he added, as reported by Vanguard.
Buhari interacted with the pupils and stressed to them the importance of character, in addition to learning, urging them not to lose sight of the aspirations of the country.
Premier Pacesetters proprietress Celine Friday commended the special attention his administration gives to education and pleaded for the government’s assistance to private schools in rural communities.
Funding education through alternative sources
Buhari had announced on June 13 that Abuja could not afford the funding required to revamp the educational system, saying there is more competition for funds because of the increase in the number of tertiary institutions.
Arise Television reported he made the point at the 49th convocation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he said the financial situation is worsened by the global economic downturn which also affects national revenues.
Buhari, represented the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, stressed that his administration would address the needs of tertiary institutions through allocations to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
“I am optimistic that the ongoing drive to diversify the national economy will provide the government with additional resources to improve funding for the educational system,” he enthused.
He said universities should leverage other funding sources, such as alumni, friends, the private sector, institutional links, and research grants to attract more revenue for infrastructure, research, and development.
“We must also address the problems of poor work ethics and the albatross of prolonged and recurrent industrial actions by staff of universities.”
Buhari advised academic institutions to embark on research that could help boost productivity and diversify the economy.
“Our universities must continue to emphasise training in entrepreneurship so school leavers and graduates are able to become job creators instead of perennial job seekers.”
Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi urged the government to address the perennial challenge of poverty and inequality or risk losing the youth to crime.
Amaechi, who delivered the convocation lecture, said protests recently held across the country, such as #ENDSARS, were caused by poverty and the disaffection of citizens.
“Although the current administration has introduced a number of programmes to help eradicate poverty, such as Transport Track for individuals who were into the transportation business, several Nigerians are yet to be lifted out of poverty,” he said.
Policies should be focused on the rural majority, he added and targeted at giving citizens a good life and lifting them out of poverty.