The revelation was made by the Director during the delivery of ABU’s Diamond Jubilee Public Lecture titled ‘The Challenges of Quality Higher Education in Africa.’ Shettima expressed the foundation’s excitement about its interventions at ABU Zaria, highlighting initiatives such as the installation of fiber optics and the connection of the ABU Teaching Hospital in Shika to the Samaru and Kongo campuses.
As part of their support, the foundation extended assistance to 67 PhD and 87 Master’s students, among other interventions. The Director emphasized the importance of increased funding and transparency in the Nigerian higher education sector, stating that transparency and accountability were crucial to ensuring efficiency in service delivery and combating challenges in the sector.
Shettima urged the government and other stakeholders to prioritize and enhance funding for the higher education sector in Nigeria. He stressed that transparency and accountability measures were essential not only for the sector’s efficiency but also to curb issues like the ‘japa syndrome.’
Moreover, Shettima advised the alumni of Ahmadu Bello University to actively support their alma mater, reinforcing government efforts to address the institution’s numerous challenges. Professor Kabiru Bala, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, acknowledged the enduring relationship between the foundation and ABU. He emphasized that, aside from TETFund, no other individual or organization, local or international, has supported ABU as significantly as the MacArthur Foundation.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed the university community’s gratitude to the Foundation’s Director for the support in ICT infrastructure, digitization, library automation, and the establishment of various centers. These centers, including those for development communication, rural finance, veterinary public health, and reproductive health, play pivotal roles in advancing research and academic excellence.
Bala highlighted that ABU, established in 1962, was supposed to celebrate its diamond jubilee in October/November 2022. However, due to the ASUU strike, the celebration was postponed to the current event.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Munir Ja’afaru, emphasized the need for the government to prioritize funding for tertiary education in Nigeria. He underscored education as the bedrock of national development, stating that it was a collective responsibility to ensure that tertiary institutions have the necessary resources to flourish.
Ja’afaru urged ABU alumni to unite and support the institution, highlighting its status as a national asset that must be protected from potential collapse. He stressed the importance of sustained efforts in safeguarding the future of the institution and, by extension, contributing to the overall development of the nation.
In conclusion, the collaboration between the MacArthur Foundation and ABU stands as a testament to the foundation’s commitment to advancing education in Africa. The various initiatives and interventions underscore the significance of strategic partnerships in addressing challenges and fostering the growth and development of higher education institutions. The call for increased funding, transparency, and alumni support resonates as critical elements in sustaining the vibrancy and excellence of higher education in Nigeria.
Source: Daily Trust