I have read with dismay the latest issue on Call for Concept Notes for the Tetfund National Research Fund for year 2020 grants cycle by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. One is left to wonder when private universities would be fully involved in the scheme of things especially with regard to Nigerian tertiary institutions’ sustainable growth and development.

It befuddles one’s imagination to ponder on, if any, there are differences between professors in public and private Nigerian universities. I do not think there are any. In the eligibility requirements of the recently issued call for concept notes, it is clear, even to the untrained eye that academics in public institutions are more favoured over their counterparts in private institutions.

Should dispassionate probes be conducted, lecturers in private universities are actually more engaged and are saddled with more responsibilities than their counterparts in the public institutions of learning within the country.

 

Hence, they should be equally deserving of opportunities availed their counterparts in the public tertiary institutions.
Through extended periods of time, this policy which copiously discriminates against non-public universities in the allotment of research grants by a public funded government agency has held sway and should now be put at bay.

 

Professors and other lecturers in private universities should be given equal considerations and opportunities as their peers in public tertiary institutions. They are one and the same. When dispassionately examined, there are no congruent reasons adduced why those in private tertiary institutions should be sidelined.

 

In the quest for the advancement of all facets of Nigeria’s national life, all hands must be on deck to achieve the lofty dreams of our people. All seasoned academics who can, without bias to their tertiary institution of employment should be brought in to deliver their expertise and equally lead research teams, serve as Principal Investigators and make valued contributions as co-researchers within duly constituted research teams.

 

Private tertiary institutions are owned, operated and managed by Nigerians and by right, are equal stakeholders in the Nigerian Project. What should be of primary importance is the acceptance of each team’s concept notes depending on its quality and ability to address national needs and requirements and not on whether such research teams emanate from tertiary institutions not owned by the government.

I call upon the leadership of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for a change in views regarding this disavowal of the existence of non-public tertiary institutions.

 

Dr Oluebube Chukwu writes from Umuahia