Criticisms trail NUC boss' son's graduation from UK university | EduCeleb
Abdussalam Amoo
26th November 2017
Criticisms have trailed the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed whose son recently graduated from a university in the United Kingdom.
His son, Adamu Abubakar Rasheed had recently completed his PhD in Engineering at the University of Aberdeen for which he graduated last Friday, 24th November.
The NUC is the regulatory body for Nigeria’s University system. It determines the standards obtainable therein.
The senior Rasheed became NUC boss in August, 2016. He is the erstwhile Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and President of Oxonia University Network, UK.
gathered that the critics who took to the social media platform, Facebook to air their displeasure described the situation as “unpatriotic”, “shameful”, as some demanded the professor’s resignation.
Portharcourt based Uchendu Synchro, for instance, called on Nigerians to condemn Rasheed for not making his son the degree in a Nigerian university.
“May I use this medium to call on well meaning and patriotic Nigerians to come out en mass and condemn this public show of unpatriotism from a public servant who sits and presides over the affairs of activities in our National Universities Commission,” he wrote.
In his reaction, Salami Segun saw the issue of the leadership not believing in the country. He described him as an example of a “leader who does not believe in the country.”
Muhammed Salihu however believes that the academia and not only politicians contributed to the rot in the Nigerian education system.
“The university dons are part and parcel of those who destroyed our education system of this country. Most of them are errand boys of politicians. So, don’t be surprised,” he opined.
Synchro who was angered by the event called for Rasheed’s resignation.
“I’m calling for the collection of over 10,000 signatures from concern Nigerians (sic) to call for the immediate resignation of this official infra: Prof. Adamu Abubakar Rasheed, mni, MFR.”
The same cannot be said of Coker Omoniyi who feels critics were being unfair to the father.
In his words, “This is not fair to the father. If he has the means to sponsor the boy for a PhD, what stops him? Besides, what if the boy himself got a scholarship? Let’s be fair when criticising. If he has an issue, let’s address that. I occupy a sit in government does not mean I cannot giver my children the best education I can afford.”
Another user, Mayowa Adewole toes his line too. He sees it as a factor of one investing in what one can afford.
“Why can’t a son go to a university abroad if his father can afford it? NUC or not, what has that got to do with the boy? Is his father responsible for all the problems in Nigerian universities? Why should his son be denied good education because of this?” he queried.
Nura Muhammed Adam drew the attention of critics to the fact that the degree earned is the third, rather than the first as some insinuated.
“The young man was in the UK for his third degree (PhD) not first. Check the displayed result. Uncountable Nigerian lecturers are were sponsored by PTDF/TETFund for such type of degree. So, there is nothing to be ashamed of,” he declared.
Prior to his graduation with a PhD at Aberdeen,  can authoritatively report that Rasheed’s son had his undergraduate degree in Nigeria prior to travelling abroad for the postgraduate degrees.
Do you think earning a degree abroad is justifiable? Let us know, using the comment box below.