Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has encouraged Nigerian universities to expand their international appeal by enrolling foreign students as a strategy to reduce dependence on government funding.
He made this call on Tuesday during the maiden annual lecture of Osun State University in Osogbo, which focused on the theme: “Interrogating the Funding of Education: Global versus Nigerian Perspectives.”
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Gbajabiamila, who previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, explained that many universities around the world rely on tuition fees from international students to support their operations. He stressed that Nigerian institutions should begin adopting similar models to stay financially sustainable.
He pointed out that with over 130 public universities in the country and nearly two million young Nigerians seeking admission each year, the financial burden is becoming too heavy for both the federal and state governments to bear. According to him, without alternative sources of revenue, the quality of education in public institutions may continue to decline, reducing universities to mere certification centers rather than places of learning and innovation.
While reaffirming the importance of access to university education, he highlighted the need for urgent reforms to address the looming funding crisis. Gbajabiamila proposed that Nigerian universities increase their international visibility and become attractive destinations for foreign students who can pay tuition fees that may not be affordable for most local students.
He further advised university administrators and policymakers to study successful strategies from countries like Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, which have drawn large numbers of international students, including many Nigerians.
