Professor Franscisca Oladipo, Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University (TAU) in Oko, Kwara State, has outlined strategies for universities to thrive in the modern world, emphasizing the importance of securing endowments, pursuing grants, and forming partnerships with the private sector.
In a Zoom session with journalists, Oladipo, a Professor of Computer Science, discussed the challenges universities face in securing adequate funding, noting that no institution, whether public or private, can rely solely on its proprietor for all financial resources. She shared that under her leadership, TAU has excelled, securing over $178,000 in grants within two years and aiming for $5 million in the coming years.
“We know that securing grants, instituting endowments, and partnering with the private sector are essential for survival,” Oladipo said. She stressed that universities must look beyond government funding and institutional budgets to ensure financial sustainability. She highlighted TAU’s successful collaborations with universities both within Nigeria and abroad, as well as the creation of a solid growth and academic development plan for the university.
TAU has also focused on cost-saving measures. The university generates its own electricity through a solar farm, producing more power than it needs, which is used as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts in the host community.
Oladipo pointed out that TAU is the fastest-growing university in science and technology in the country. Founded in 2021, it began with 13 academic programs and now offers 27 accredited programs. The university’s reputation is rapidly growing, having moved from 252nd in the country to 41st in just a few years. TAU emphasizes international certifications, work-study programs, and flexible payment structures to ensure that students have access to quality education without financial strain.
The Vice-Chancellor also advocated for private universities to be included in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and for students to benefit from the student loan scheme. She emphasized that private universities play a vital role in training the nation’s workforce and should be supported accordingly.
Oladipo concluded by expressing gratitude to the university’s proprietor for focusing on societal contributions rather than profit-making, and for providing substantial assistance in building infrastructure at TAU.