Govt alone can’t continue to fund education —Babalakin SAN

The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr Wale
Babalakin, has called on individuals and corporate bodies to join
the government in funding education to deliver quality education to
Nigerians.

Babalakin said this on Saturday in Lagos at the fundraising
dinner organised by the alumni of the College of Medicine,
University of Lagos.

“We are here because we have a product to celebrate; UNILAG
College of Medicine is a good product to celebrate; but to keep the
standard we need substantial funding. Government alone cannot
afford to keep funding education in Nigeria.

“To deliver quality education to Nigerians, a lot of money is
needed and we cannot continue to give poor quality education
because of funding. We must, therefore, look for alternative
funding to deliver quality education to our people,” Babalakin
said.

He also commended the alumni for thinking about giving back to
their alma mater years after graduation.

“It is very impressive to see the likes of Prof Ashiru so
determined and enthusiastic that their alma mater is set on the
right pedestal. I look forward to the day Nigerian universities
will be financially buoyant that government funding will just be an
addition,” Babalakin added.

The Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof
Foluso Lesi, said the event served as an avenue for former students
of the College to reunite and discuss how to move the college
forward.

Also, the Chairman, Organising Committee, Prof Oladapo Ashiru,
said universities all over the world had a day set aside to
celebrate their legacy and that fund raised at the event would be
used in advancing the college.