By Michael Ofulue , Osogbo

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, RT Honourable Olufemi Gbajabiamila has described education as foundational truth that gives meaning and purpose to life, saying every responsible government that want to develop should take education as its major priority.

This, he said was reason why every developed and developing nations around the world takes education as a major priority that capable of driving development and shaping the society and it’s citizens .

Gbajabiamila said, “An educated man or woman is always cognisance of his or her rights and responsibilities within the community he or she lives.”

“Many people consider education as privilege but it’s a right of every citizen, The utmost purpose is to produce a nation of people who build thriving communities, contribute to a fair society, and shape a country that reflects the highest ideals.”

Identifying funding as one of the challenges facing tertiary education, Gbajabiamila said Nigeria universities must reform its curriculum, teaching methods, technology access and comfortable lodging among others to overcome funding challenges bedevilling funding of operations.

Gbajabiamila added that management of the institution must have zero tolerance for unethical conduct and a coordinated efforts to eradicate ills as plagiarism, cultism and sexual harassment.

The COS, while delivering maiden annual lecture of Osun State University on Tuesday, titled “Interrogating Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives” disclosed that Federal Government operate 64 while state governments operate 63, noting that they are insufficient for growing population of Nigeria.

However, he stressed despite that Education is a right but it is not free, revealing that education gulped N2.18trillion in 2024 which is second to National Security and lamented that despite the large sum universities in Nigeria still fall short of what it is required in Africa and world.

He said in United Kingdom and United States, in-state students pay £9,535 and $8,914 per annum while International students pay £38,000 and $19,081.

His word “The financial contributions of international students are a significant revenue stream for universities worldwide, helping to subsidise university education for the citizens of those countries. Policymakers and university administrators in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and even Africa have long implemented policies and strategies to boost the enrollment of international students.”

He noted that Africa countries like Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa have efforts to boost funding of public universities by attracting International students.

“Public universities in Nigeria can and should also look to increase their international profiles to become attractive destinations for international students willing and able to pay fees that might otherwise be practically and politically inexpedient for native students. Like the embassies of other nations in Nigeria, our embassies around the world can become very effective avenues for reaching out to a global market of students.”

He added that academia must collaborate with private sector to create a robust ecosystem for innovation, research commercialisation and economic growth thereby boost job creation.

While saying that the number of universities in Nigeria is insufficient, the CSO hinted that the growing population demand more establishment of more universities .

He added that the analysis of the 2024 budget of Federal Government of Nigeria by Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER)shows that education has 2.18trillion aside health and Defence that has 1.33trillion and 3.25trillion respectively.

Speaking, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke said that the university is one of the enduring legacy that has continued to make him proud in the state, saying that Uniosun has become a model for other universities to emulate.

He said: “Osun State is experiencing rapid development in her educational achievements , Osun ranks seventh position in the last international examination ranking against what osun used to be in 33 position in 2022.Our target is to be ranked number one in the future”

He, however appreciated the guest lecturer, the University Vice Chancellor, Prof Odunayo Clement Adeboye and other management team for their contributions in the institution, urging them not to relent.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebooye appreciated the guest lecturer for honouring them and hailed the state governor for his unwavering support to the institution