The Chairman of Topfaith University in Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Abraham, has urged the Nigerian federal government to include private universities in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) grants. He said this inclusion would boost research in private institutions and help Nigeria’s technological progress.
Abraham made the appeal during a meeting with journalists at his office on Tuesday. He pointed out that private universities are often left out of government research funding, which he believes is not good for national development.
He explained that in many countries, universities serve as important research centers for national infrastructure and scientific issues. “If government is serious about human resource development, it should support private universities based on their research strengths,” he said.
Abraham also highlighted Topfaith University’s focus on oil palm production research. Located in an area rich with oil palm plantations, the university runs a biotechnology program and a palm seedling multiplication center as part of its entrepreneurship efforts. He believes TETFund grants could help improve such projects and bring science and technology into agriculture.
While Abraham said private universities should not depend entirely on government funds, he stressed that government investment in education should not be selective. He called on TETFund and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to assess and support private universities that meet certain criteria.