Vice Chancellor, Trinity University, Prof Clement Kolawole, has demanded that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board redirect excess revenue from Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination applicants back to universities.
Kolawole likened JAMB’s remittance of funds to the federal government to “Carrying coal to Newcastle,” emphasising the need for a more strategic allocation of resources.
Kolawole’s call was contained in a statement by the institution’s Principal Assistant Registrar, Michael Bamigbola, on Wednesday.
According to the VC, the excess funds from UTME applicants should be reinvested in universities to support research, projects and infrastructural development.
Kolawole said, “This is a compelling case for redirecting JAMB’s excess revenue to universities.
“JAMB’s revenue, generated from university applicants, should be reinvested in universities to support research, projects, and infrastructural development.
“By redirecting JAMB’s excess revenue to universities and ensuring inclusivity in education funding schemes, Nigeria can take significant steps towards enhancing the quality and accessibility of higher education.”
In addition, the Trinity varsity VC restated his call for students of private universities to be part of the beneficiaries of the National Education Loan Fund.
This is as he said, private universities should also benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund interventions.
According to Kolawole, excluding private universities and their students is discriminatory and violates the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Private university students are Nigerians and should have equal access to NELFUND.
“Excluding them is discriminatory and violates the Nigerian constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on social status or any other reason.
“The Constitution of Nigeria precludes a Nigerian from being discriminated against, either because of social status or by gender or for any other reason whatsoever. So that in itself is a violation of our constitution.”
He stressed that his proposals would go a long way to promote equal access to education funding and support the development of private universities in Nigeria.
