•House of Representatives
The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has called for an immediate overhaul of infrastructure and facilities at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, warning that the nation cannot afford to neglect a specialised institution critical to the development of manpower for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Fulata, made the call today during an inspection tour of federal universities in the South-South region, reports The PUNCH.
He noted that FUPRE, by virtue of its mandate, should rank among the best-equipped universities in the country, but like many federal institutions, continues to struggle with inadequate funding, outdated facilities, and insufficient support for research and innovation.
For years, federal universities in Nigeria have battled chronic underfunding, leading to deteriorating infrastructure, overstretched classrooms, obsolete laboratories, and declining staff morale. Despite being centres of national development, these institutions receive budgetary allocations that fall far below UNESCO’s recommended benchmarks for education financing. FUPRE, though specialised, is no exception.
Fulata stressed that the committee’s assessment visits were not intended to witch-hunt, but to ensure accountability and draw national attention to glaring gaps in university funding and management.
He urged the federal government, intervention agencies, and key players in the oil and gas industry to invest more robustly in specialised universities, especially in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
According to the statement, FUPRE Vice Chancellor, Prof Ezekiel Ogden, informed lawmakers that “The university is seeking dedicated funding befitting a specialised institution, alongside full implementation of its Establishment Act—particularly the remuneration framework needed to attract and retain high-level researchers.
He also called for more meaningful collaboration with oil and gas companies.”
Meanwhile, the committee has summoned the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgewill, and the institution’s management team over alleged non-compliance with the Appropriation Act, breach of federal character principles, and failure to provide documents relating to the implementation of the 2023–2025 budgets.
Fulata expressed displeasure over the VC’s repeated absence during oversight visits, describing it as unacceptable conduct for the head of a public institution.
“We visited the University of Port Harcourt last year, and the Vice Chancellor was nowhere to be found. We returned this year, and he was again unavailable, offering flimsy excuses. No relevant documents were provided regarding the management of the university from 2023 to date,” he said.
“We are not witch-hunting anyone. We are carrying out our constitutional duties. The 10th House of Representatives is committed to improving the standard of education in this country.”
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ukpabio Ndaeyo, has been invited to explain alleged discrepancies in official records. The committee noted conflicting figures showing the institution’s student population as either 73,000 or 42,000.
The lawmakers also raised concerns over what they described as excessive spending on local and international travel by officials of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.
They urged the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Leo Daniel, to prioritise academic and infrastructure needs over non-core expenditures.
Fulata reaffirmed the committee’s resolve to sanitise university administration across the country, insisting that accountability, proper funding, and efficient management are essential to restoring the quality of Nigeria’s higher education system.
