By Our Reporter
The Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Professor Philip Oguntunde, has issued a stark warning to Nigerian parents against sending their children abroad for undergraduate education, cautioning that such decisions are increasingly resulting in unintended and painful consequences for families.
Professor Oguntunde sounded the note of caution during a Town-and-Gown engagement with secondary school administrators, where he argued that early exposure to foreign environments often leads to a gradual erosion of values, weakened family bonds and emotional disconnect between parents and their children.
Drawing from personal experience, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that he declined two opportunities for his own children to pursue their first degrees overseas, insisting instead that they study in Nigeria, a decision he said he has never regretted.
According to him, emerging realities indicate that many parents who rushed to send their children abroad at a tender age are now grappling with deep regret, as their wards struggle with cultural dislocation and shifting value systems.
He warned that young people exposed too early to foreign cultures risk losing touch with their roots, moral upbringing and sense of responsibility, often adopting lifestyles and mindsets that may not align with family and societal expectations.
“Allow your children and wards to acquire their first degree in Nigeria; otherwise, you may have unwittingly donated them to the devil,” he said. “After their first degree, you can release them to go abroad for further studies when they have attained a greater level of maturity.”
The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted the broader implications for the country, pointing to the steady depletion of Nigeria’s intellectual capital through brain drain.
He maintained that Nigerian universities are well positioned to provide quality foundational education capable of competing globally.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the university, Mr Omololu Adegbenro, assured stakeholders that the institution remains committed to academic excellence and global competitiveness.
He noted that all 32 academic programmes offered by the university are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission.
Mr Adegbenro singled out the institution’s Nursing programme as particularly outstanding, explaining that graduates obtain four distinct professional and academic certifications, placing them at an advantage both locally and internationally.
In his remarks, the Bursar, Mr Olusegun Ajeigbe, underscored the university’s commitment to accessibility, citing a flexible and modest fee structure as well as a robust welfare scheme designed to support students facing unforeseen financial challenges, including the loss of a sponsor.
The University Librarian, Dr Ayooluwa Aregbesola, added that the institution boasts of a technology-driven library system and highly motivated staff, ensuring seamless access to academic resources for students and faculty alike.
Responding, several school administrators commended the university’s serene learning environment, balanced academic offerings and proactive engagement with stakeholders.
They called for sustained collaboration between secondary schools and tertiary institutions, describing such partnerships as essential to strengthening the link between education and society.
The Town-and-Gown meeting, they noted, underscores the university’s commitment to inclusive development and its vision of producing globally competitive graduates without compromising core societal values.
