The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello, says universities require exploring alternative source of funding in order to protect them from the fiscal instability of the government.
Bello said this in his address at the first day of the 49th convocation of the institution on Tuesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 12,617 students were to be awarded with degrees and certificates during the three-day ceremony.
Of the number, 231 graduated in the first class division, out of which two female students made maximum score of 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average.
According to Bello, the foremost universities in Nigeria should be more than just training institutions.
He added that they need to be commissioned to solve the nation’s problems through research, development efforts and direct challenges by the government.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up a committee to negotiate with the university staff unions that recently suspended their warning strike.
Bello said: “A quick agreement with the unions and prompt government implementation of whatever is agreed will be the panacea for peace and stability in the university system.’’
Meanwhile the Vice-Chancellor said that the university was proud of the two female students, Taiwo Bankole and Ajoke Omotuyi, for obtaining the perfect score of 5.00 CGPA.
He said they had both matched the feat posted by Ayodele Dada during the 2015 convocation.
Bello said that the university would continue to provide the enabling environment that would set the tone for academic excellence.
He commended President Buhari for the efforts put in place to fight insecurity and corruption, which he described as two canker worms facing the nation.
He said: “The success achieved by the military in flushing out the insurgents from the Sambisa forest is highly commendable.
“Similarly the efforts at changing the mind sets of Nigerians on corruption and related issues have been yielding fruits and need to be sustained.
“All Nigerians must latch onto the ‘Change Mantra’ to free our nation from the burden it carries because of not paying full attention to our infrastructure needs, while developing high taste for foreign goods.’’
Also speaking, the Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Prof. Jerry Gana, admonished the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution, wherever they found themselves.
He also urged them to exhibit good character in their immediate communities, adding that education without character was serious disaster.
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