Approval of 11 new private varsities, when will Ogbomoso’s dream assume reality?
Femi OGUNLANA
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Recently, news of approval of 11 new private universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC) hit the Nigerian air wave thereby effectively bringing the number of universities in Nigeria to close to 300 out of which about 160 are private. But many believe the number is inadequate taking cognizance of the huge population of the country.
Ogbomoso has long dreamt of a private university being sited on its soil since when the Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC) proposed a Baptist University at about the middle of the last century but the dream has surprisingly remained elusive. The recent push spearheaded by some patriots under the aegis of Ogbomoso Academics comprising Ogbomoso indigenes in the academic even still appears a distant dream, it’s bogged down by funding. Lecturers are not multi-millionaires, founding a private university falls within the purview of multi-millionaires. But they are eggheads, intellectuals, they will find a way round to nick the goal.
The community really needs one, not only for prestige but for provision of opportunities for its numerous sons and daughters seeking university admission in order to engineer a prosperous future for themselves and the community. And also to provide immediate employments for the youths and elderly, stimulate income generation through fund inflow, attract more professionals in different fields among several others. The impact of LAUTECH in ramping up the economy of the city cannot be overemphasized. In fact, many are of the view that it’s the lifeline of Ogbomoso, economically. So, having another one will further drive its economy.
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The community’s endeavour to secure a private university in the past through the NBC when that body sought to establish what now became Bowen University, Iwo, slipped up. Few individuals have also made attempts in recent past to venture into the huge project but it’s surprising none has seen the light of the day.
There is no doubt there are individuals who have the wherewithal to undertake the venture and nurture it to reality but probably for lack of willpower or other reasons. Several neighbouring cities boast private universities – think of Oyo, Ibadan, Osogbo, Ilorin, Ilesha, Iwo, Ede and so on, each have at least one, it’s incomprehensible why Ogbomoso despite its importance and status will remain without one. It’s definitely not because of lack of intellectual capacity to knit one, not for lack of financial resources, not for lack of land, it’s perhaps due to lack of adequate conviction and power of will.
The city has long been associated with university education, it boasts the first degree awarding institution in the country in The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary founded in 1898, which first awarded degree in 1948. Also, one of its indigenes, N.D. Oyerinde is often claimed to be the first Professor in Africa just as the community had good representation among the pioneer students of the first university in Nigeria, the iconic University of Ibadan. And in contemporary time many of her sons have served as vice chancellors. All these illustrate her preeminence in the field of education.
So, eminently qualified, when will the dream transits into reality?
