The former Registrar, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Mrs.  Olufolake Oyeyemi,  has said that a lot of funds available to many universities are not being well utilised.

She stated that it was imperative for university administrators to use funds judiciously and transparently.

Oyeyemi spoke with journalists in Ilorin on Thursday after her conferment as the grand patroness of the Postgraduate Students Association, UNILORIN chapter.

She said Nigerian universities had been provided with a lot of funds, adding that there are even donor agencies  who play major roles.

She, however, lamented that  some universities could not even write acceptable feasibility reports to gain access to such funds.

Oyeyemi, whose tenure expired last week, said more money was still needed by the institutions to discharge their functions effectively and efficiently.

“In those days, we did not have this much in terms of funding, but now we have much.  There are some funding windows available to the universities.  But the question is, what are they using the ones available to do? What have the universities been able to provide? What have they been able to show as achievements? There is the need to maximise the contributions from the funding organisations.

“One of the problems we have is indiscipline.  We are saying that there is corruption in the country, why can we clean our own corner? We must insist on ensuring discipline. We need determination.

“Funds so far available to universities have not been well utilised. We get so much money as funds and there is still more money waiting for us to tap.

“Donors are even calling on universities to come and access some funds.  Some of the universities cannot even write good feasibility report.  We need to go back to the basics.  We cannot continue to expect more money when the basics are not addressed.  We need to go back to the basic education where students are taught the rudiments of communication skill,” Oyeyemi said.

She challenged the universities to invest more human and material resources towards addressing societal problems.

 She also said there was the need to improve on the quality of university education in the country.

According to her, academics should find solutions to the lingering insecurity, poverty, food challenges and the menace of the Boko Haram in Nigeria.

“Why have universities not been able to provide solutions to poverty, social unrest and Boko Haram issues?

“What are we doing with the vast land mass to provide food for the nation and solve hunger problems?

“We also need to address insecurity.  What are our academics doing to solve these problems? That is why we are here to serve the society and find solutions to society’s challenges and needs.  If we are able to provide solutions to these societal problems, it will show that we are working hard and the government will be encouraged to give us more funds,” she said.

President, POGSASS, Mr. Abdullahi Adam said university education was centered around teaching, research and community development.

He opined that universities would be failing in their responsibilities if they were not effective.