By Tayo Ikujuni

Professor of Educational management at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Akinrotimi Oyetakin, has called on government to consider increasing educational budgetary allocation to 20 per cent.

Oyetakin made the call while delivering the institution’s 42nd inaugural lecture titled ‘Cost Explosion and Expenditure Implosion of Tertiary Education: Equilibrium Heresies in Motion’.

The education management expert equally stressed the urgent need for legislative action to rescue Nigeria’s underfunded educational sector.

Oyetakin, while seeking the creation of a dedicated emergency relief agency for the sector, urged the Federal Ministry of Education to spearhead a coalition with other stakeholders to rescue the sector.

He emphasised that a legislative bill should be sponsored at both federal and state levels to increase annual budgetary allocations to education.

According to him, it is important to remove parasites plaguing the educational sector.

The education management expert advocated for “an urgent need to establish the Education Emergency Relief Agency of Nigeria (EERAN)”.

“The agency shall carry out functions on emergency management of educational institutions in Nigeria, which is currently facing fierce terrorism and natural attacks.

“The vote given to education, though, seems to be increasing, but it does not measure up to the cost.

“The cost is flying, the expenditure is also flying, but the height is quite at equilibrium, and that is erosive over the years.

“I have recommended that to curb this erosive, which I tag a super parasite and super viruses, that have affected the educational system, government at all levels must increase budget provision to the educational sector.

“If government increases the budget allocation to at least over 20 per cent on an annual basis, it will cushion the problem we are experiencing today.

“Government is spending money. It is not sufficient enough to back up the financial requirement of higher education.

“If this is done by the government based on all the recommendations I have provided, I believe this super parasite and super viruses shall be solved, and we shall have good services delivering tertiary education in Nigeria,” Oyetakin stated.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, applauded the lecturer for his scholarly contributions to the university.

Ige stressed that “the inaugural lecture is a significant academic engagement that reinforces the university’s commitment to scholarly research”.

“This lecture contributes to sustaining a vibrant academic culture within our community.

“The lecturer’s scholarly contributions have greatly enriched the university. He has successfully supervised 17 postgraduate students, including four Ph.D candidates,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi