By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
A university lecturer, Professor Azeez Olaniyan has decried alleged politicisation of administration and management of universities in Nigeria, saying such has further retrogressed their growth and made them subservient to politicians.
Prof. Olaniyan also identified poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, corruption,brain drain, industrial action amongst others as some of the factors working against seamless university administration in the country.
Prof. Olaniyan, who is a Professor of Political Science at the Ekiti State University (EKSU),
The varsity don however, called on the president and state governors to turn down unnecessary interference of politicians in the affairs of university administration in the country to ensure effective service delivery.
Prof. Olaniyan made this known in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital while delivering the 3rd Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) Alumni Association, EKiti State chapter titled, “University Governance In 21st Century: EKSU And Expectations Under a New Visitor”.
The don expressed worries over the attitude of some influential personalities who always put undue pressure on university management to influence decisions which are detrimental to the growth of the institutions.
The National President of the Alumni Association, Engr. Dipo Bamisaye and National Secretary, Dr Jide Akinleye acknowledged efforts being made to uplift the university.
Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman, EKSU Alumni EKiti State chapter, Mr Ayodeji Oso and the Coordinator, Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Mr Ayodeji Ogunbusuyi stressed the need for entrenchment of good governance in the university administration.
According to him, “Democratic governance is necessary in the system. University administration should democratised properly and there should be more autonomy to the universities, with this, I believe the system will be more effective”.
Ogunbusuyi was awarded, “the association’s most dedicated male members” for good governance in the administration of universities.
He said “For instance education sector supposed to getting about 26 percent of the total budget of a state or country but what they getting is between four and six per cent, which is not sufficient, but with good people who know the importance of education in position, they will do better”.
Ogunbusuyi advised, the governor of the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, who is the visitor to EKSU as well as an alumnus of the institution, to increase the subvention to the educational institution to be self sustaining and develop the university’s infrastructure.
At the event, various categories of awards were given to notable personalities and many members of the alumni association who have distinguished themselves in thier chosen careers and service to the association.
