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By Sola Rotimi
Second far right, Alhaji Jimoh Babalola
President Bola Tinubu has been urged to extend the benefits of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund to private universities, in recognition of their critical role in national development. Founder and proprietor of Jimoh Babalola University, JBU, Ilorin, Alhaji Jimoh Babalola, made the call today at the unveiling ceremony of the University, held at the campus, Asa Adam Road, Ilorin.
He noted that private universities across the country absorb thousands of students, create jobs and reduce illiteracy through massive private investment in education infrastructure and manpower, hence the need for government support.
“Private universities are not competitors to public institutions; we are partners in national development,” he argued, stressing that private investment in education “reduces unemployment, expands access and accelerates the fight against illiteracy.”
Alhaji Babalola described the vision of the university as firmly anchored on Capacity, Civility and Clarity, a framework designed to produce graduates who are technically competent, ethically grounded and purpose-driven in a rapidly changing global environment.
In a remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muftau Ijaiya, emphasized the university’s strong focus on addressing Nigeria’s worsening healthcare manpower crisis. He, however, expressed concern that “the continuous migration of health professionals has created a dangerous vacuum, especially in rural communities where there is practically a dearth of staff.”
Professor Ijaiya added that the science- based institution is deliberately structured to train community-oriented health workers who are prepared to serve where they are most needed.
On her part, Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, commended the university’s science-based foundation, noting that it aligns with the state’s healthcare priorities. She explained that the institution’s orientation opens multiple windows for collaboration with the Ministry of Health, particularly in research, training and service delivery that will benefit both urban and rural populations.
The Commissioner attributed the unveiling of Jimoh Babalola University to the education-friendly policies of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration.
