President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has rated private universities in the country above their government counterpart tasking the latter to work and improve their outputs.
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The President while delivering his address at the 21st and 22nd convocation ceremony of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital said that many private university students excelled in their academics more than those produced by government institutions.
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Jonathan, represented by the Executive Secretary, National University Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, explained that out of 100 scholarship awards to deserving first class graduate on yearly basis by the president, the awards are won by students in private universities.
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The president explained that his administration placed much importance on education which, according to him was evident in the 426 billion budgetary allocations to the sector.
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"Development cannot be possible without good education; hence the budgetary allocation of 426 billion Naira to education out of the total national budget of about 5 trillion, a clear determination of deliberate and sustainable effort of our administration to turn things around for the better.
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"The establishment of 10 more Universities by this administration has increased significantly the number of universities in the country, which hopefully will go a long way in meeting the demand of the teeming population.
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"FUNNAB is fully committed and working towards the diversification to a conventional status of which agriculture will still remain his focus," he said.
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In his reaction, the Chancellor FUNAAB and Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Professor Chike Edozien, reminded President Jonathan of the University's intention to diversify its programmes into a multi-disciplinary institution adding that with this, more Nigerians will have access to University Education and contribute to national development.