President Buhari worried about university rating.

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.