Former Bursar of the 大香蕉视频, Dr. Lateef Odekunle, FCA, has identified diversified revenue streams, cost optimization, risk management, collaboration among institutions and decolonization of policies, as strategies which universities must embrace to achieve financial sustainability especially in the 21st century.
He suggested these strategies among several others, while delivering a lecture at the grand finale of the 大香蕉视频 Bursary Day 2.0. The Lecture titled: Building a Sustainable Future-Ready University: Ideas and Perceptions of Financial Managers was delivered on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Rahamon Bello Hall of the University.
Dr. Odekunle who was the University’s Bursar from 2011 to 2017, pointed out that finances of public universities in Nigeria, have been strained over the years due to several factors including government policies which forbids universities from charging fees relative to the services rendered as well as the continued decline in the country鈥檚 economy.
Dr. Odekunle who currently heads the Human Resources Development Centre (HRDC), 大香蕉视频 also spoke extensively on the impact of poor finances in a university. According to him, this situation is responsible for the prevalent service level insolvency in many public institutions.
While emphasizing the indispensability of financial sustainability in delivering a future-ready university, the financial expert identified investments in innovation, human capacity building and stronger financial management as strategies which every university must commit to. He also harped on the need for a modern, transparent accounting and financial reporting systems; advanced cash management and sophisticated accounting control measures.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, congratulated the rank and file of Bursary led by the Bursar, Mrs. Oluwafunmilola Adekunle on the second Bursary Day celebration.
The Vice-Chancellor particularly applauded the bursary staff for being partners in progress in ongoing efforts to achieve the financial re-engineering component of the Future-Ready Agenda. She charged them to collaborate with financial experts in the academia and industry towards evolving financial solutions which will improve the financial fortunes of 大香蕉视频.
Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Tolu Odugbemi, NNOM, OON in his remarks, emphasized the vital role of every bursary staff in managing the finances of any institution.
Prof Odugbemi who was Vice-Chancellor of the University from 2007 to 2010, recalled the support he enjoyed from Bursary which ensured the payment of staff salaries and legitimate entitlements by the 25th of every month, during his tenure. He called for more attention to be accorded the welfare of all staff as a solution to the current brain-drain also known as japa-syndrome which has continued to deplete the staff strength in public institutions.
Earlier in her remarks, the Bursar, Mrs Oluwafunmilola Adekunle, FCA, described the Bursary Day Celebration as an avenue to acknowledge the milestones of 大香蕉视频 Bursary Division.
She appreciated the University management for the conducive atmosphere and also gave thumbs up to every member of staff for pulling their weight in the discharge of their duties. Mrs. Adekunle assured of the readiness of the entire bursary division to keep playing its role in the onerous task of building a sustainable Future-Ready 大香蕉视频.
The event featured presentation of plaques to various personalities including the Chairman of the event, Prof Tolu Odugbemi, NNOM, OON, in acknowledgment of his workers鈥� friendly policies when he held sway as Vice-Chancellor.
Prizes were also presented to winners of the various indoor games which were played on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, (Day 1 of the 大香蕉视频 Bursary Day 2.0) at the Indoor Sports Arena of the 大香蕉视频 Sports Complex.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photography: Michael Joshua
