He blamed incessant strikes by teachers as ``major bottlenecks to progress of the country's university system’’.
President Muhammadu Buhari
has expressed concern over low ranking of the country’s universities.
The president expressed the concern on Saturday in Bauchi at the 19th to
22nd convocation ceremony of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University,
Bauchi. Represented by Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary,
National Universities Commission, he said that ``it is worrisome that no
Nigerian university is quoted among the top 100 universities in the
world.
``We rank below a thousand, if we do not
aspire to be among the world class universities, we cannot boast of
robust system capable of making the country among the top economies of
the world.
``We have abundance of talents who excel elsewhere but appear incapacitated at home. This is unacceptable.
``Whatever
makes our abundant talents fail at home and excel abroad must be
identified and neutralised for our benefit and that of our future
generation,’’ Buhari said.
He blamed incessant strikes by teachers as ``major bottlenecks to progress of the country's university system’’.
``The
repercussions of strike usually retard the smooth running of academic
activities with heavy negative consequences’’. The president called on
the state governments to support and encourage universities situated in
their states because they were responsible for harnessing local talents
and promotion of local innovations. He observed that the Treasury Single
Account policy was meant to enhance accountability, transparency and
revenue.
``The seemingly challenges especially in
tertiary institutions should be seen as a teething problem that will
gradually vanish as the policy takes roots.
``MDAs
should, therefore, exhibit patience and understanding, bearing in mind
that Nigerians shall surely reap from the fruits of the policy,’’ he
said.
Oba Rufus Aladesanmi,
Chancellor of the institution, urged the graduating students to explore
ways of self employment. Aladesanmi further urged them to contribute to
the technological and economic development of the country.
He
observed that in spite of large number of students that applies for
admission, few were being admitted due to few facilities.
The chancellor called on stakeholders to urgently find both short and long term solutions to the problem. Prof. Saminu Ibrahim,
Vice-Chancellor of the institution, said that the institution was
graduating 8,127 students for its 19th and 22nd convocation.
He
explained that the figure included 845 diplomas, 5,577 first degrees,
1,620 post-graduate diplomas and Masters and 85 students as Doctors of
Philosophy (Ph.D).
Ibrahim further explained that
out of the 5,577 first degree graduates, 32 obtained First Class, 1,203
Second Class (Upper Division) 2,702 Second Class (Lower Division),
1,481 Third Class and136 Pass.
On achievements
made by the institution, Ibrahim said that 40 academic staff members had
obtained PhD. degrees worldwide while many others were pursuing their
Masters degrees.
He said that the institution was
constructing six news hostels and renovating the existing ones as parts
of students’ welfare package.
He blamed incessant strikes by teachers as ``major bottlenecks to progress of the country's university system’’.
