The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, today descended on some state Governors in the country for poor funding of states-owned universities.

He said their seeming political inducement in running of universities was creating big problems for the growth of the affected institutions.

Okojie, who stood in for President Goodluck Jonathan at the 28th convocation ceremonies of the University of Ilorin today, wondered why some Governors were playing politics with varsity education.

He said; "Many of us have taken position on the myriad of problems facing university education, particularly at the states-owned level, and I want to believe that some Governors were not sincere about the funding of their universities.

"For inexplicable reason, some Governors would insist that the university be sited in their hometown and if it is not so, they would start starving the university of fund.
"I want to also believe that lack of integrity in the system is also affecting the universities", the NUC boss asserted.

Speaking on the research development of universities, Okojie said 60 per cent of lecturers have no P.hd, pointing out that this makes it impossible for them to carry out beautiful researches for societal growth.

He stressed the need to build capacity for research institutes in the country with a view to making them responsive and responsible to the yearning of local farmers.

He noted that the commission was working with development partners to stimulate academic excellence in the universities.

While commending the University of Ilorin management for transforming the institution to its present status, the NUC Executive Secretary predicted that the university would be the richest university in the next 20 years.

The don also canvassed for a strong tie between town and gown to ensure rapid development in local communities.

"We have to find out how we can interact with communities around us as part of challenges we are battling with".