Kogiflame
A call has gone to government to deliberately support and complement the effort of private universities in terms of infrastructure development as well as tax reduction.
The Vice Chancellor of Salem University, Lokoja, Prof. Alewo Akubo, who made the call in a pre‑convocation press briefing on Tuesday, emphasised that private universities require deliberate government backing to thrive.
He highlighted the institution’s remarkable achievements and charted a bold course for the future ahead of the university’s 7th convocation ceremony.
He noted that Salem University prides itself on high‑quality human resources and capital development, maintained regular and uninterrupted academic sessions, ensuring students graduate on schedule.
He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to sustain and improve its achievements for the benefit of the people, the state, and Nigeria at large.
He disclosed that the institution in its 7th Convocation, would produce 168 graduates comprised of four First class, 93 Second Class Upper 31 Second Lower, eight Third Class, and other Postgraduates.
Akubo noted aggressive media and public‑relations strategies have lifted Salem University’s global profile as a center of integrity and excellence.
He commended the media for its continuous support and partnership in projecting the image of the institution, he urged the press to sustain and improve the collaboration.
He disclosed that key Kogi government officials—including Gov. Ahmed Ododo, the Secretary to Kogi Government and several commissioners—are currently enrolled in or have graduated from Salem University, underscoring the trust placed in the institution.
He noted that the institution has secured approval to commence the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, positioning Salem University as a rising hub for medical training in North‑Central Nigeria.
Full approval and commencement of Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, and Ph.D. programmes in Biochemistry, Mass Communication, Law, International Relations, and more, attracting candidates nationwide and abroad.
He said the university is set to introduce Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Architectural and Environmental Science programmes to broaden innovation and research opportunities.
Akubo declared that Salem University aims to become a world‑class institution known for cutting‑edge research, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
He emphasised strengthening international collaborations and establishing centers of excellence that will redefine higher education in Africa.
He appealed to Kogi Government to invest in the university and in health‑care initiatives, citing recent approval of a N300,000 special fund for medical doctors as a step in the right direction.
He thanked Gov. Ahmed Ododo for his continued goodwill, and for creating enabling environment in terms of adequate security for the institution.
Akubo commended the founding Chancellor, Dr. Sam Amaga, describing him as a “living legend” whose “unwavering integrity, boundless compassion, and extraordinary sacrifice” have turned a dream into a thriving citadel of learning.
The VC noted that Salem University graduates—dubbed “Change Agents”—have been praised for their integrity, competence, moral character, and leadership potential across sectors such as public administration, media, business, technology, and education.
He contrasted this with the decay in infrastructure and human resources observed in many primary and secondary schools.
He further remarked, “As it is now, private universities appear to be the future of Nigeria’s tertiary education, having doubled the number of public universities. Public tertiary education is gradually fizzling out in terms of relevance, and unless the government decides to act decisively, the public universities we all benefited from may sink into oblivion. I task the government to put heads together and do the needful to rescue the degenerated public university education in the country.”
