Olufunke Aladejare
Professor Philip Oguntunde, the Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, has warned parents against sending their children abroad for undergraduate studies, saying the trend is increasingly resulting in regret and unintended consequences for families.
Oguntunde, who spoke during a town-and-gown engagement with secondary school administrators, expressed concern over what he described as the growing social and emotional cost of exposing young students to foreign environments too early.
He said many parents, in a bid to secure perceived better opportunities for their children, fail to consider the long-term implications, which often include loss of cultural identity, weakened family bonds and a disconnect from core values.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that students should be allowed to mature before studying abroad and said, “Allow your children and wards to acquire their first degree in Nigeria; otherwise, you may have unwittingly donated them to the devil.”
Oguntunde disclosed that his position is informed by personal conviction, revealing that he turned down two opportunities to send his own children overseas for early education and insisted that they complete their first degrees in Nigeria, a decision he said has yielded positive outcomes.
According to him, several parents who sent their children abroad at a young age are now dealing with the consequences, as the children often adopt lifestyles and attitudes that create tension within their families.
He also highlighted the national dimension of the trend, noting that early migration for education contributes to the depletion of Nigeria’s human capital, while maintaining that local universities are capable of providing quality academic foundations.
In his remarks, the Registrar of Elizade University, Mr Omololu Adegbenro, assured stakeholders that the institution maintains high academic standards, with all its programmes fully accredited by the National Universities Commission.
He particularly drew attention to the university’s Nursing programme, which he said equips graduates with multiple professional and academic certifications, enhancing their competitiveness both locally and internationally.
Also speaking, the Bursar, Mr Olusegun Ajeigbe, said the institution has put in place a flexible fee structure and a welfare support system to assist students facing financial challenges, including unforeseen circumstances.
The University Librarian, Dr Ayooluwa Aregbesola, noted that the institution operates a modern, technology-driven library system that provides seamless access to academic resources for students and faculty.
Responding, the participating secondary school administrators commended the university for the engagement, describing it as timely and impactful.
They said such interactions are essential in bridging the gap between secondary and tertiary education, and in guiding parents and students towards informed decisions.
They also called for sustained collaboration, noting that closer ties between schools and universities would help address misconceptions about local education and promote confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
