Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, yesterday charged private universities in the country not to sacrifice quality on the altar of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Wike made the call during the 3rd convocation ceremonies of Al-Hikma University, Ilorin in Kwara State, which graduated 506 students.

The minister, who spoke through Professor Andrew Ekoja who also represented the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, said Al-Hikma University had come of age and urged the institution and its contemporaries in the nation to “remain focused and be guided by academic excellence”.

At the ceremony, the chairman and chief executive officer of MRS Oils Plc, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata was inducted as the Chancellor of the University, while former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of the university.

Dantata described education as the only way youths can be meaningfully engaged and kept away from crime and other violent activities, stressing the need for private individuals and organizations to join hands with government by establishing private universities.

He lauded the founder of the school, Chief Raimi Oladimeji, for his foresight in establishing the university, noting that no amount of resources could be too much investment for education.

The former CJN also called on other well-meaning Nigerians to invest in the education sector, saying Chief Oladimeji had used his hard-earned money to establish the university even though he never attended any western school.

At the ceremony, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MRS Oils Plc, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata was inducted as the Chancellor of the university while former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore and former Inspector-General of Police bagged honorary doctorate degree of the University.