By Waziri Mahdi Isa
The Vice-chancellor of Gombe State University, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, has stressed that enduring stability and sustainability of higher education in Nigeria depend on active collaboration between the trio of government, students, and the private sector.
The Vice-chancellor stated this while speaking as the presenter of the University’s 20th Inaugural lecture on the 25th of November, 2025. Professor Yauta, who spoke on “Perspectives of an Educational Administrator on the Three-legged Stool: Rethinking The Funding of University Education in Nigeria”, said the financing of University education in Nigeria has long been a contentious and evolving subject, reflecting the tension between the state’s responsibility, societal expectations, and individual aspirations.
Professor Yauta, a Professor of Educational Management and Finance, used the metaphor of a Three-legged Stool, representing the government, the students (and their families), and the Private Sector (including industries, philanthropists, and alumni), to re-examine the question of ‘Who should pay for University education?’. He argued that relying too heavily on any one source, particularly government subventions, has historically led to instability, poor infrastructure, and declining quality.
He noted that the current over-reliance on government funding has led to a lack of accountability and inefficient use of resources. Professor Yauta emphasized that the private sector stands to benefit significantly from university research and innovations, and should therefore contribute to funding. He also stressed that students and their families must be prepared to contribute to the cost of their education, but with adequate support systems in place.
The Professor drew comparative experiences from nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, South Africa, and Kenya, exploring various funding models and distilling lessons applicable to Nigeria’s unique socio-economic context.
He said the analysis extends beyond funding mechanisms to interrogate policy coherence, equity, and the role of accountability and innovation in public university management. According to him, effective reform of University financing in Nigeria requires courage, creativity, and collaboration – a shared recognition that education is both a public and private good, demanding contributions from all beneficiaries, including individuals.
Professor Yauta concluded by calling on governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to adopt a more sustainable and collaborative approach to funding university education, emphasizing that the three-legged stool model offers a viable solution to Nigeria’s higher education challenges.