The Vice-Chancellor, Wesley University Ondo, Prof. Samuel Obeka, has appealed to faith-based institutions to consider fee review in respect of the present economic situation in the country.
He also denied allegations that the school owes its part-time lecturers salaries, describing the claims as mischievous. Obeka disclosed that the institution was the first to reduce its tuition fees by 50 per cent, as part of efforts to contribute to national development.
Addressing journalists ahead of the university’s 11th convocation ceremony, Obeka encouraged other faith-based institutions in the country to reduce their fees as part of their humanitarian services to the poor.
He said: “There are lots of economic challenges facing the people, we don’t need to make things more difficult for them. As a faith-based university, we are leading by example, which is why we have cut down our fees by 50 per cent for some of our academic programmes. This is also done in fulfilment of our promise to give opportunities to all Nigerians for professional and academic development.
“Wesley University feels it is proper currently to reduce fees, while even federal institutions are increasing theirs.”
Responding to the allegation of owing part-time lecturers, the Vice-Chancellor said they no longer encourage part-time lecturing in the institution, so the allegation is false.
He said: “In the past, we used to have part-time lecturers who were engaged on semester basis. But due to their non-commitment, management was not comfortable with the arrangement and had to disengage them. So, in line with the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) directive, we now have visiting lecturers instead. “I am not disputing that the university do have challenges, but it is becoming a thing of the past.”
