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Don Urges Collaboration Between Private University and Public

University

The Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Governing Council at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Jide Owoeye, emphasised the need for strategic partnerships among universities, industries, donors, and international organisations to advance development in Africa.

He stated that governments, private enterprises, and regional organisations ought to continue refining and implementing frameworks (like those outlined in the Addis Convention and HAQAA) that promote comparability, accountability, and transparency in higher education.

During his lecture titled “Quality of Education in Developing Countries: Collaboration in Africa and Role of Private Universities” at the 13th Convocation of Protestant University, Rwanda, Owoeye argued that Africa’s path to transformation through quality education is not merely an aspiration but hinges on sustainable, inclusive, and dynamic development mechanisms.

Regarding policies and frameworks, he noted, “Universities currently play a critical role in nation-building.”

Africa has strong policy frameworks that highlight quality education as essential for development.

“Under Agenda 2063, the African Union identifies one of its primary objectives as ‘Well-Educated Citizens and Skills Revolution underpinned by Science, Technology and Innovation.’

“This aim envisions universal access to quality education at every level, from early childhood to tertiary education, along with a significant increase in qualified educators and technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship skills.

“The Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025), which aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), emphasises that equity, inclusion, and quality must be integrated.”

He urged private universities to invest not only in increasing enrolment numbers but also in faculty development, infrastructure, learning technologies, research capacity, and relevant curricula, as these are crucial for true growth.

Owoeye pointed out that enhancing regulatory oversight in the education sector, ensuring quality assurance, and fostering collaboration between private and public universities are vital for Africa’s transformation.

He advocates for aligning funding with quality demands since both public and private higher education institutions will need additional funding—”not just to provide access, but to ensure quality: for research, infrastructure, teacher training, and quality assurance systems. Innovative financing methods (such as grants, endowments, and industry-sponsored programmes) should be pursued.”

In terms of monitoring outcomes and ensuring accountability, he mentioned that comprehensive metrics on graduate employability, research output, student satisfaction, and learning progress should be tracked and made public, with feedback mechanisms in place allowing institutions to adjust their policies and practices based on what is effective and what isn’t.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he asserted that while private universities have shown their ability to complement public institutions, innovate, and meet increasing demand, their full potential will only be realised if they collaborate rather than operate in isolation.

Emphasising the need for inclusion and equity, he advised private universities to consider access for underprivileged or rural students; scholarships or financial aid programmes can help mitigate high tuition costs and lessen inequality.

As a way to initiate the proposed partnerships, Lead City University is providing full tuition scholarships to graduates from the Protestant University of Rwanda interested in pursuing their postgraduate studies in Nigeria.

The Chancellor of the university and President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda, Dr Pascal Bataringaya, expressed gratitude to Prof. Owoeye for his convocation lecture and the offered scholarship.