The president of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria Alumni Association Worldwide, Mallam Adamu Mamman Kontagora, has said the alumni of universities have critical roles to play in supporting development in the face of dwindling government funding.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, during the 2024 Alumni Lecture, Dinner and Award Night, Kontagora emphasised the importance of alumni associations in the growth and sustainability of educational institutions.
He said: “Every institution is always proud of its alumni or graduates because they are the major stakeholders in providing infrastructure and support for their alma mater. Alumni contributions have become indispensable. If you look at what is happening today, governments can no longer fund universities adequately. Most universities that are highly ranked globally, like Oxford, rely heavily on their alumni. This is why Ahmadu Bello University is making significant progress, with many of our alumni contributing to infrastructure development.
“Our alumni has built roads within the university, constructed accommodations, provided water and provided learning materials for lecturers. Additionally, a flyover in Zaria was constructed by the Alumni Association under the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar. We have provided buses and shuttle services, which ease transportation challenges for students. These are just some examples of how alumni are complementing government’s efforts.
“Every government has its priorities, but education should be the topmost. We understand the global economic situation, which is why alumni must step up to fill the gaps and complement what the government cannot provide. Ahmadu Bello University pays millions of naira for electricity, while the government’s allocation is only ₦240 for the whole year. This shortfall highlights the need for alumni support.
“Ahmadu Bello University has the highest number of alumni in Africa. In the last convocation alone, I inducted 25,483 graduates for the 2021/2022 session as the alumni president. The university was established in 1962. By 1966 or thereabout, we have already started getting graduates. Over the past 50 years, we have nearly a million graduates across various fields.
“Alma mater is a place you can always look back to. Today, we are who we are because of this university. We remind our graduates during convocation that they are ambassadors of ABU and should always look for ways to give back. Wherever you find yourself, remember to look back and contribute to the institution that shaped you.”
Also speaking, the vice-chancellor of ABU, Zaria, Professor Kabiru Bala, said government is not providing enough allocation to the institution as payment for electricity alone is more than the overhead for a year.
“In this year, the overhead that was allocated to ABU by the federal government was N240 million. Electricity bill for ABU in full session is N310 million, while N240 million is supposed to be for one year overhead. That will give us an idea of the underfunding that ASUU talked about of universities. Many universities, at this rate, may not survive at the current level of funding,” he said.