Don’t rely on government for funding, Unilorin VC advises African universities

The Chairman of the Association of West Africa Universities (AWAU), Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, has advocated a fundamental shift in how universities across Africa are funded, saying that reliance on government allocations is no longer sustainable.

Egbewole, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) stated this in his welcome address at the Association of African Universities International Workshop held in Singapore between April 6 and 10.

The Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law described the current funding landscape as inadequate for the growing demands of higher education.

He urged institutions to adopt innovative and diversified revenue strategies, saying that these include strengthening global partnerships, advancing research commercialisation, building endowments, and fostering closer ties with industry.

Egbewole, who is also the Vice President (Western Africa) of the Association of African Universities (AAU), noted that while African universities are rich in intellectual resources, many struggle financially because they have yet to fully harness their potential for sustainable income generation.

The Vice- Chancellor noted that the ability to convert knowledge and innovation into viable funding streams is now essential for institutional stability and growth.

While explaining that global engagement should be viewed as a strategic advantage, and not a compromise of local priorities, Egbewole noted that international collaborations expand opportunities, enhance knowledge exchange, and ultimately bring greater value back to local communities.

“Let me affirm this without equivocation: global engagement is not a betrayal of local identity.

“It is, in fact, its most powerful amplifier. When the University of Ilorin partners with an institution in Asia or Europe, it does not diminish its commitment to Kwara State or to Nigeria.

“Rather, it enlarges it — widening the pipeline of resources, ideas, and opportunities flowing back into our communities. Every international partnership we forge is a bridge our students will one day cross to bring value home,” he explained.