New UNIBEN VC, Omoregie Assumes Office, Rolls Out Five Points Agenda, Solicits Support of Colleagues
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New UNIBEN VC, Omoregie Assumes Office, Rolls Out Five Points Agenda, Solicits Support of Colleagues
By Flo Media Reporter
University of Benin, like every other thriving university, is an institution where nobody makes decisions alone but in consultation with stakeholders through the established institutional channels.”
He lamented that in the last nearly 50 years, the Nigerian Public University System has witnessed increased turbulence caused by two significant yet conflicting paradigms: the need to increase access to university education, and the challenges of dwindling public funding.
Continuing, he noted that since 1987 when he was admitted as a law student in the University, and January 1998 when he was employed as an academic staff till date, he has lived through this turbulence.
He said that the result of the crisis is the arrested development of the Nigerian Public University System despite the obvious resourcefulness of the stakeholders, especially university scholars, non-academic, and the student bodies.
He stated: “In my sojourn in the policy arena in the last 10 years through my service with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), the think tank organ of the National Assembly which is affiliated with the University of Benin, I have come to notice the concern and anxiety caused by this crisis even in the policy arena, and appreciate the efforts being made to reverse the situation.
What is clear is that the system needs rejuvenation to avoid frequent disruption through strikes. I sincerely believe that this can be achieved through innovative funding, which prioritizes increased and unhindered access to public university education for citizens, infrastructural development, and improved staff welfare.
“It is in this regard that I must commend the effort of the present federal government to provide access through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This approach is consistent with global best practices for creating access to university education.’
