Dangote bags UI honorary doctorate degree

Africa’s richest entrepreneur and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has advocated Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the funding of tertiary education in Nigeria.

Dangote who was conferred with a honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.), alongside two other eminent Nigerians, Professor Niyi Osundare and Chief Bode Amao, by the University of Ibadan (UI) at the 68th Foundation Day Ceremony of the university yesterday, asked that the university be accorded a special attention in this regard.

“I believe that the UI deserves special attention not just because of its status as Nigeria’s oldest university, but also because of its invaluable contribution to the transformation of society through creativity and innovation. With adequate funding, I believe the university will be able to compete favourably with the best universities in the world,” Dangote stated.

While stressing that the federal government alone could not shoulder the burden of funding tertiary education, Dangote reiterated the need for Public Private Partnership, saying, “This is where Public Private Partnership (PPP) comes in. I strongly believe the private sector must go beyond the payment of the 2% education levy to join hands with the state and federal governments in funding tertiary education in Nigeria.”

He donated N250 million to the UI, saying, “We hope that this token will go some way in assisting the university towards the completion of some ongoing projects,” and adding, “If there are two things that I am passionate about, they are education and entrepreneurship.”

Speaking earlier, the ViceChancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka had announced that the convocation ceremony was featuring the award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degrees on a total of 442 candidates spread over 11 faculties, two institutes and two centres.