By Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki.
The Vice-Chancellor of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu in Ebonyi State, Prof. Jesse Uneke, has called on the Federal Government to enact a legal framework that would mandate private companies operating in Nigeria to invest directly in public universities as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the country’s higher education system.
Uneke, made the call while speaking on the urgent need to diversify funding sources for Nigerian universities and promote sustainable industry–academia partnerships capable of driving national development.
He argued that the current funding structure of public universities, which relies predominantly on government allocations, is no longer sustainable given the growing demands for quality teaching, research infrastructure, and innovation-driven learning.
According to him, a robust legislative and policy framework that compels industries to support universities through infrastructure development, research collaboration, and capacity building would significantly transform Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
“Funding of universities should not be left for government alone. The private sector, individuals, and organized groups should also be actively investing in public universities,” he said.
Uneke cited global best practices, particularly the model adopted by the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where industries within the region are legally required to invest in the university’s research and training infrastructure.
“Few months ago, I visited the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and discovered that industries invest massively in the institution. They build workshops, establish facilities and equip them with modern technologies,” he explained.
He noted that such strategic partnerships enable universities to produce industry-ready graduates and ensure a continuous pipeline of skilled manpower required to sustain economic productivity.
“As workers retire from industries, the university already has trained professionals prepared to replace them. It is a well-structured national programme where companies operating within the region are mandated to support the university through infrastructure and research investments,” he said.
The DUFUHS Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the arrangement is not based on philanthropy but on a clearly defined national policy that aligns industrial growth with human capital development.
He therefore urged Nigerian policymakers to adopt a similar model by introducing legislation that would require companies to invest in universities within their operational zones.
“I look forward to a time when Nigeria will establish such a legal framework. Companies operating in the country should be mandated to invest in public universities in order to build the human capacity required to drive the nation’s economy forward,” he stated.
Highlighting the role of his institution in advancing specialized health education, Prof. Uneke noted that DUFUHS, as a Federal Government-owned university, was established to address critical manpower gaps in the healthcare sector.
He explained that the university serves as a specialized centre for health sciences education in the South-East, offering programmes designed to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
“DUFUHS is a Federal Government-owned university and a specialized institution dedicated to health sciences. It represents the Federal University of Health Sciences in the South-East region,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the institution offers several specialized programmes not available in other public universities in Ebonyi State.
According to him, beyond Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science, the university has introduced programmes such as Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Biomedical Engineering to expand professional training in critical healthcare fields.
“These are specialized programmes that are essential for strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare workforce but are not available in other public universities within Ebonyi State,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Convener of Technova, Mr. Chijioke Prosper, while speaking on digital innovation and youth empowerment, highlighted the transformative potential of the internet in creating new economic and knowledge opportunities.
He said curiosity and exploration of digital technologies led him into the global internet ecosystem, where he discovered vast opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation.
“Curiosity actually launched me into the internet. I discovered that the internet is vast and full of opportunities. It has both positive and negative sides depending on what individuals choose to explore,” he said.
Prosper explained that the evolution of the internet—from Web 1.0 through Web 4.0—has opened diverse pathways for digital engagement, innovation, and economic participation, particularly for young people.
He urged Nigerian youths to leverage emerging digital platforms to build skills, create solutions, and participate in the global knowledge economy.
