The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called on Nigerian universities to expand their international appeal by attracting international students as a means to diversify revenue sources and reduce reliance on government funding.
Speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of Osun State University in Osogbo, Gbajabiamila spoke on the importance of this strategy in ensuring the sustainability of public university education in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila noted that many universities worldwide depend on fees from international students to subsidise domestic education.
He pointed out that Nigerian institutions should adopt similar models to alleviate the financial pressures faced by public universities.
He expressed concern over the increasing number of Nigerian youths seeking university admission annually, stating that nearly two million young Nigerians apply for university admission each year.
He warned that without urgent action to address funding challenges, Nigerian public universities risk becoming mere diploma mills rather than centres of learning and innovation.
Gbajabiamila suggested that Nigerian universities look to institutions in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, which have successfully attracted international students, as models to emulate.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State commended the university for institutionalising an annual lecture series that fosters meaningful discourse on critical educational issues.
He expressed confidence that the insights gained from the lecture would guide policymakers at all levels in shaping the future of education in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila’s call aligns with ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s education sector, including the establishment of a student loan scheme to support indigent students and initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure in tertiary institutions.
By attracting international students, Nigerian universities can enhance their financial stability and global competitiveness, contributing to the overall development of the nation’s education system.
