Don seeks funding for postgraduate education to drive development

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Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Olayinka, has called on the Federal Government to urgently increase funding for postgraduate education, warning that Nigeria’s quest for sustainable national development will remain elusive without deliberate investment in advanced research, infrastructure and human capital.

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The Professor of Geology noted that postgraduate education goes beyond the acquisition of higher degrees, saying it plays a crucial role in driving innovation and national development across diverse fields for the betterment of humanity.

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Olayinka stated this on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the maiden Postgraduate School Discourse of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, themed, “Consolidating Postgraduate Education in Nigerian Universities.”

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He identified inadequate funding as the biggest obstacle confronting postgraduate education, noting that many prospective master’s and PhD students lack the financial capacity to complete their studies, while universities also grapple with poor infrastructure and a shortage of qualified academic staff.

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According to him, government-funded scholarships and bursaries would enable postgraduate students to focus on their studies and complete their programmes within the stipulated period.

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He said, “Most people who want to pursue postgraduate education don’t really have the funding to see them through. Many are working in secondary schools or other places just to make ends meet, and paying tuition becomes a major challenge.”

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“If the government can provide generous scholarships or bursaries, students will be able to concentrate on their studies. Within three or four years, they would complete their PhDs and also begin supervising another generation of researchers.”

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He lamented that many university departments lack basic research facilities, while erratic electricity supply continues to undermine scientific research.

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He continued, “Most departments do not have adequate facilities. There are problems with electricity, water and other infrastructure. Some laboratories rely on refrigerators that must be maintained at specific temperatures continuously, but we do not have the luxury of a constant power supply.

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“A department may have a generator, but if diesel costs almost N2,000 per litre, how do you sustain research? Funding remains the major challenge.”

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Beyond infrastructure, he stressed that Nigerian universities urgently require more academic staff to supervise postgraduate students effectively.

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“We don’t have enough human resources. Universities need to be strengthened because most of them don’t have enough lecturers to teach and supervise master’s and PhD students. We really need to up our game,” he said.

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Olayinka also expressed concern that only about 15 per cent of university graduates proceed to postgraduate studies, describing the figure as grossly inadequate for a country seeking technological advancement and economic growth.

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“This is not good enough. We need to encourage more people to pursue postgraduate education. When they finish, they can supervise students, work in government, academia or the private sector. Producing enough highly skilled manpower is extremely important,” he said.

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He explained that postgraduate education occupies the highest level of the education system and directly influences the quality of teaching at lower levels.

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“The university is at the apex of the education system. Below it are colleges of education, polytechnics, secondary schools and primary schools. If the apex is weak, the effect will trickle down to every other level.

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“If we don’t produce enough teachers in Physics, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry, how do we expect a 10-year-old or 11-year-old aspiring to become a scientist to receive quality education?” he asked.

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“Government policies should encourage people to pursue postgraduate education, whether at the master’s or PhD level. At the same time, universities need stronger capacity to deliver quality postgraduate training.”

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Earlier in her welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, described postgraduate education as the engine room of knowledge creation, research excellence, technological innovation and national development.

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Arulogun said the maiden discourse marked the beginning of a tradition of intellectual engagement designed to strengthen scholarship, innovation and postgraduate education within the institution.

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She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to building a postgraduate school distinguished by academic excellence, rigorous research, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and global relevance.

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She said the discourse would provide a platform for critical reflection on the future of postgraduate education while encouraging the adoption of innovative approaches that would produce globally competitive and solution-driven graduates.

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Also speaking, the Head of Service of Ogun State, Mr Iskeel Saka, commended Chrisland University for initiating the discourse, describing its theme as timely and significant.

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He reiterated the state government’s commitment to education, research and innovation under the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

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The Head of Service noted that robust postgraduate education remains essential for evidence-based governance, policy innovation and sustainable socio-economic development.

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