Dr. John David, the Registrar of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Benue State, has expressed concern over the high tuition fees charged by universities owned by churches. He highlighted that this situation makes it difficult for the children of church members to attend these institutions. Dr. David made these remarks during a lecture delivered ahead of the combined convocation of Wesley University in Ondo, Ondo State.
In his lecture titled ‘Early Church Fathers as Panacea for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,’ Dr. David criticized the shift from sound missionary schools to what he described as commercialized and unaffordable educational institutions. He questioned the inability of church members’ children to attend these institutions despite the financial contributions made by the members to the churches.
Dr. David also expressed concern about the prevalence of cultism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent behaviors on university campuses. He attributed the erosion of the reading culture, a crucial aspect of university education, to these negative activities. The lecturer identified technology, particularly the use of Android phones and iPhones, as contributing to the behavioral problems of students in tertiary institutions.
While acknowledging the challenges, Dr. David emphasized the need for proper discipline in the university system to restore the lost glory of academic institutions and the education sector in the country. He commended universities, especially private ones like Wesley University in Ondo, that prioritize and enforce discipline in their systems to counteract social malaise.