Group Tasks FG To Prioritise Increase Of Varsity Funding For Educational Devt

… Applauds FUOYE VC in tackling unethical Practices

A Civil Society Organisation under the aegis of the Partnership for Ethical Governance (PEG) has alerted the Federal government on the need to prioritise adequate funding for necessary development in ivory towers.

The group commended the management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) under the leadership of Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, for its handling of the recent extortion saga in the institution, describing the administration’s zero-tolerance policy against illegal payments and other unethical practices as a major step towards restoring integrity and accountability.

The representative of the delegation, Olawole Oladapo, stated this on Friday in Ado-Ekiti while addressing journalists on an independent assessment tour of the University.

According to the group, one of the most significant developments observed was the administration’s decisive approach to the issue of extortion and other unethical practices within the university.

Oladapo noted that the administration had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against extortion, particularly illegal payments demanded from students by lecturers, with the policy backed by Senate approval and clearly defined sanctions.

The group described the measure as a strong signal that integrity, accountability and fairness would no longer be negotiable within the university system.

Oladapo said the group’s assessment was undertaken to independently verify reports of reforms at FUOYE following years of controversies and negative publicity that had placed the institution in the national spotlight for the wrong reasons.

He added that its findings showed that the university was undergoing a deliberate and measurable process of institutional renewal under the leadership of its Vice-Chancellor, who assumed office on February 11, 2026.

The group also used the opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to increase its support for the university’s ongoing transformation through sustained funding for infrastructure, research, digital technology, energy development and specialised academic facilities.

The Partnership said the approach demonstrated that the university management was not merely responding to controversy but was attempting to address the institutional weaknesses that allowed unethical practices to thrive.

The group therefore urged the Federal Government to regard the ongoing transformation at FUOYE as an opportunity deserving strategic investment.

He said, “When reports of remarkable reforms under the leadership of the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, began to emerge, we considered it both responsible and necessary to undertake a fresh assessment of the institution, just as we had expressed concern when negative reports dominated public discourse.

“We approached this assignment with cautious optimism, conscious that institutions are ultimately judged not by promises but by verifiable evidence.

“However, our observations during the assessment present a significantly different narrative, one that deserves to be shared with the Nigerian public.

“Following extensive interactions with the University’s principal officers, members of management, academic and non-academic staff, students and other critical stakeholders, coupled with physical inspections of ongoing and completed projects across both campuses, we are convinced that FUOYE is undergoing a deliberate, systematic and measurable process of institutional renewal under the leadership of Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, who assumed office on February 11, 2026.

“One recurring message resonated across virtually every engagement we held: the atmosphere within the University has changed remarkably.

“Members of management, staff and students consistently attested to improved administrative discipline, stronger institutional direction, greater transparency in governance and renewed confidence in the future of the University.

“Particularly commendable is the administration’s decision not to dwell on assigning blame for past challenges but to focus on building enduring systems capable of sustaining institutional excellence.

“As the Vice-Chancellor himself rightly observed, the challenges confronting FUOYE are deeper than any individual administration and are rooted in foundational institutional issues.

“Rather than reopening old divisions, the present leadership has chosen the more difficult but ultimately more productive path of reforming systems, strengthening governance and rebuilding confidence.

“We were particularly impressed by the University’s clearly articulated 8- Point Covenant with the University Community, which demonstrates an intentional commitment to institutional transformation through measurable reforms rather than mere rhetoric.

“Equally commendable is the administration’s determination to position FUOYE as a globally competitive research institution.

“We were informed that part of the University’s Internally Generated Revenue has already been dedicated to supporting research activities, while plans are underway to establish an independent energy plant capable of improving uninterrupted academic operations.

“Particularly impressive is the University’s ongoing digital transformation, including the migration to an Artificial Intelligence-driven portal and the development of what is projected to become one of the largest education research libraries in Nigeria, providing scholars access to approximately 501 international research databases. These are bold investments in knowledge production and global academic competitiveness.

“The Coalition equally commends the University’s renewed commitment to community engagement. We found a leadership that clearly understands that universities must exist not merely as centres of learning but also as partners in community development.

“We equally note with satisfaction the administration’s zero-tolerance policy on extortion and other unethical practices. The declaration that no lecturer will be permitted to collect illegal payments from students, backed by Senate approval and clearly defined sanctions, sends a strong signal that integrity, accountability and fairness will remain non-negotiable under the present administration.

“During our assessment, we also observed significant infrastructural developments across the campuses. Beyond physical construction, there is evidence of strategic planning aimed at expanding academic capacity, improving information technology infrastructure, strengthening research facilities and creating a more conducive learning environment.

“Partnership for Ethical Governance therefore calls on the Federal Government to view the ongoing transformation at FUOYE as an opportunity worthy of strategic investment. Institutional reforms of this nature require sustained support if their long-term benefits are to be fully realised.

“We urge the Federal Government to prioritise interventions capable of accelerating ongoing projects, particularly in the areas of infrastructure expansion, research funding, digital technology, energy development, and other specialised academic facilities. We also encourage the timely deployment of special intervention funds available for institutions expanding their medical and engineering programmes”, the group said.