Jonathan Tasks Universities On Alternative Sources Of Funding

Nigerian universities have been tasked by President Goodluck Jonathan to intensify their efforts at generating revenue internally so as to meet their developmental needs.

He made the call in Zaria on Saturday at the Golden Jubilee Convocation of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State.

Jonathan who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said that the call became necessary in view of the fact that government alone could not shoulder the burden of education.

While advising Nigerian universities to seek local and foreign assistance with a view to making the universities excellent centres of learning, the president called for collective efforts from all Nigerians to salvage the nation’s education system from collapse.

“Private organisations should join hands with the Federal Government to ensure funding of research and  scholarship.

“On our part, we shall continue to enhance funding and infrastructure development in our universities and other tertiary institutions.

“Education is a core aspect of national transformation agenda of this administration,” he said.

The president lauded ABU for its immense contributions to the development of education, and agriculture not only in the North but Nigeria at large.