Akungba-Akoko (Ondo State): A Professor of Educational Management at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Akinrotimi Oyetakin, has called on the government to increase educational budgetary allocation to 20 per cent.
Oyetakin called on Tuesday while delivering the institution’s 42nd inaugural lecture titled ‘Cost Explosion and Expenditure Implosion of Tertiary Education: Equilibrium Heresies In Motion.’
The education management expert equally stressed the urgent need for legislative action to rescue Nigeria’s underfunded educational sector.
Oyetakin sought the creation of a dedicated emergency relief agency for the sector and urged the Federal Ministry of Education to spearhead a coalition with other stakeholders to rescue it.
He emphasised that a legislative bill should be sponsored at federal and state levels to increase annual educational budgetary allocations.
According to him, removing parasites plaguing the educational sector is essential.
The education management expert advocated “an urgent need to establish the Education Emergency Relief Agency of Nigeria (EERAN).”
“The agency shall carry out functions on emergency management of educational institutions in Nigeria, which is currently facing fierce terrorism and natural attacks.
“The vote given to education is increasing, but it does not measure up to the cost.
“The cost is flying, the expenditure is also flying, but the height is quite at equilibrium, which is erosive over the years.
“I have recommended that the government at all levels increase budget provision to the educational sector to curb this erosive, which I tag a super parasite and super virus, that has affected the educational system.
“If the government increases the budget allocation to at least over 20 per cent on an annual basis, it will cushion the problem we are experiencing today.
The government is spending money. It is not sufficient to back up the financial requirement of higher education.
“If the government does this based on all the recommendations I have provided, I believe this super parasite and super viruses shall be solved, and we shall have good services delivering tertiary education in Nigeria,” Oyetakin stated.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, applauded the lecturer for his scholarly contributions to the university.
Ige stressed that “the inaugural lecture is a significant academic engagement that reinforces the university’s commitment to scholarly research.”
“This lecture contributes to sustaining a vibrant academic culture within our community.
“The lecturer’s scholarly contributions have greatly enriched the university. He has successfully supervised 17 postgraduate students, including four PhD candidates,” he said.
