The Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, has said that the Nigerian government cannot deny not knowing the problems facing University education in the country.
The VC made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA after the institution’s first phase of its 6th matriculation ceremony.
Babalola, who was speaking on the problems facing university education in Nigeria, disclosed that the government need to act fast in solving whatsoever the problems are, and ending the incessant strike actions.
She noted that the frequent strike actions encountered by the government owned universities are causing the students to elongate their stay unduly.
“We do know that 95% percent of undergraduates are students in public universities. The private universities only cater for 6%, which is because the students have to pay fees.
“You can imagine a situation where about 94% or 95% of the students population belong to the public universities, government owned universities.
“The incessant strike actions either by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or the Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) have caused students to elongate their stay in the University. They know what the problems are, so they should solve them. The government need to find a way of solving them,” the VC stated.
Babalola applauded the Federal Government for other things it had done especially on TETfund.
However, she called on the government to address the issues of salaries and divisions between the unions, adding that more money needs to be released to the varsities in order to have “learning environments devoid of strike actions, for the Nigerian students.”
“They should release more money and look into the governance of these institutions.
“Also they should address whatever reports they get,” she charged.
While responding to the question on why the 6th matriculation is in phase, the Nigerian Professor of Pharmaceutical chemistry and Pharmacokinetics revealed that the learning institution is still admitting.
She noted that the first phase of the 6th matriculation with the theme “Purpose Driven” was to officially accept over 300 students who have been admitted already into the institution.
Speaking on how the university, which started with 7 students in 2015, and within 6 years, its number of students has increased to over 300, the VC described it as “explosion”.
Babalola said “Chrisland University started with just 7 students. From there it moved to 37 students, and then increased to 70 students; all of sudden to 147 students, last year.
“We have been declaring and expecting explosion in Chrisland University. Today, I can say we’ve got that explosion.”
“So this year, we have 300 students matriculated. In fact, the percentage cannot be mathematically calculated. This can only be an explosion, moving from 7 to 300.”
The VC further explained that “These first set of matriculants will have their exams in few days time, along with other returning students. Since admission into private universities will end in June this year, we will continue to admit, and as students come in, we’ll know how they will be fixed into the calendar for them not to be left out.
“So we use this opportunity to tell the public that Chrisland University is still admitting.”
The African Union Laureate also announced that Chrisland University has got her first Professor.
According to her, Babafemi Badejo was made the first professor of the institution after his publications were thoroughly assessed by national and international experts.
She noted the Badejo has been appointed a Professor of Political Science and International relations.
Badejo obtained PhD in Political Science from University of California, served in University of Lagos as a senior lecturer before moving to the United Nations where he spent 24 years.
“He has worked with African Union, ECOWAS and other international organizations. He is bringing in his expertise to Chrisland University and will be setting up the Chrisland Institute for Security, Development and Diplomacy (CISDD), which will be the first of its kind in West Africa,” she stated.
“The university has attracted some experts in the past few months. We will be setting up other centres such as centre for Distance Education for top-up programmes and a Forensic centre for Crime detection,” the erudite Professor added.
The Vice Chancellor also expressed that Prof Badejo’s pedigree will bring to Chrisland University “an international space because of his experiences and the places he had worked.”