CURRICULUM VITAE



PERSONAL DATA

Full Names - ONI, Adetunji
Place and Date of Birth - Gusau, 31st March, 1960
Marital Status - Married to Mrs. Nana Belinda Oni
` of Henshaw Town, Calabar,
Cross River State.

No. of Children with Dates of Birth - Five (5)
- Adedamola 26 years
Adegboyega 18 years
Adepeju 17 years
Adetunji (Junior) 12 years
Marvelous 9 years

Nationality - Nigerian

State and Local Government of Origin - Kwara State, Ekiti Local Government

Contact Address/Telephone/ e-mail - Office of the Rector
Directorate of Special Duties and External Funding Unit
Federal Polytechnic,
P.M.B. 420, Offa. Kwara State
Adeoni2004@yahoo.com
AdetunjiOni@gmail.com
Twitter-@Adetunjioni
Linkedin
---------
Area
Languages Spoken - Yoruba, Hausa, Nupe, English
Permanent Home Address - B1 Ile-Oke Street, Osi
Ekiti L.G.A Kwara State

INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED ATTENDED
(WITH DATES)

University of Ilorin - 1980 – 1983/84
Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos - 1987
Post Graduate School, University of Ilorin - 1989 – 1991
Agricultural and Rural Management Training
Institute, Ilorin (ARMTI) - 1991

Administrative Staff College of Nigeria,
Topo Badgary (ASCON) - 1990

Administrative Staff College of Nigeria
Topo Badgary (ASCON) - 2008

European Project Funding and Management
Academy - 2010


ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS WITH DATES

Pure Academic Qualification with Dates

B. A (Hons) History - 1984
Masters in Public Administration - 1991
Certificate in Personnel Management
and Industrial Relations - 1991

Certificate in Public Relations - 1987
Advance Management Certificate - 2008
Certificate in Public Relations - 1987
Train the Trainers Certificate - 1991

Certificate in Project Proposal writing for External
Funding (Writing and Winning Project Proposal) - 2010

Certificate in European Project Development
(Understanding the European Commission’s Calls for
Fundable Project Proposals) - 2010

Certificate in European Project Management (essentials
And successful best practice) - 2010
Professional Qualifications with Dates
Associate Institute of Public Relations - 1988
Member Institute of Management Consultants - 1997
Member Institute of Personnel Management - 2000

WORKING EXPERIENCE WITH DATES

Public Relations Officer NYSC
Project Monitors Nigeria Limited
15 Yoruba Road, Ilorin - Nov. 1993 – Nov. 1984

 Cutting and pasting Newspaper cuttings
 Putting up Draft of adverts and News release
 Assisting in carryout any other public relation jobs assigned to me
 Assisting Manager Corporate Affairs


Education Officer II/SEO
Kwara State Civil Commission, Ilorin - 1984 – 1990
 Teaching
 House Master
 Class Master
 Staff Secretary


Senior Management Development Officer
Management Development Unit
Governor’s Officer, Ilorin - 1990 – 1992

 Developing in conjunction with top Management, a training policy for Kwara State Government Civil Servants

 Analyzing the Civil Servant’s training needs and ensuring that the analysis is kept up to date

 Stating the Management Development unit’s objectives and preparing programmes to meet them

 Establishing training procedure and devising. Records for the control of training programmes.

 Arranging/Applying for the supply of training equipment, materials and facilities

 Applying/budget for training on the job.

 Planning training course including selecting trainees and trainer, choosing appropriate training methods and techniques

 Organizing/turning course including selecting supervising and assisting in the provision of any necessary audio-visual materials

 Evaluating training courses

 Developing and applying methods for checking the effectiveness of the training programme



Assistant Registrar (Admissions) Admission Officer - 1992 – 1993
Federal Polytechnic, Offa
Head of Unit

 Coordinating welfare services for both staff and student in admission unit

 Coordinating Personnel Matters, processing leave, Annual Performance Evaluation,

 Discipline of Staff of Admission Unit

 Service meetings and other statutory and Ad hoc committees

 Maintaining and taking custody of records and documents

 Processing admission of students

 Undertaking registration of students

 Keeping academic records of students

Assistant Registrar (Student Affairs)
Federal Polytechnic, Offa - 1993 – 1994

 Supervising Welfare Services for Students in terms of allocation of Halls residence.

 Sporting activities

 Supervising Common Room and Buttery for Student Relaxation

 Mobilizing Planning and Organizing Orientation for fresh students

 Overseeing all Students Clubs and Societies

 Monitoring the general feelings/tempo of students and report same to
appropriate quarters


Senior Assistant Registrar Centre for Continuing Education - 1994 – 1995
Secretary/Admission Officer, Federal Polytechnic, Offa
Head of Unit

 Overseeing the overall discipline of the Units registrar

 Overseeing Personnel Matters, Discipline, and Promotion etc.

 Assisting in formulating administrative Budgets Proposal

 Undertaking Administrative Staff Development to specific Unit Schedule and allocating Administrative Facilities

 Servicing meetings and other Statutory and ad-hoc Committees

 Maintaining and Taking Custody of records and documents

 Processing admission of Part-Time Students

 Undertaking registration of Part-Time Students in conjunction with others

 Performing any other duties as assigned


Senior Assisting Registrar (Public Relations)
Public Relation Officer/Head of Unit
Federal Polytechnic, Offa

 Overseeing the overall Administration of the Public Relations Unit

 Cultivating and maintaining good relations between the School and the host communities, Press, Staff, Students and other Publics of the Polytechnic

 Advising the management on matter pertaining to general policy formulations
 Undertaking the Planning, Editing and production of all publications of the public relations unit of the Polytechnic In-House organs, e.g. New Bulleting, News Flash, Press Release, Fedpoffa News.

 Dictating the terms of News, Stories and Future articles on the Polytechnic

 Coordinating documentary on the Polytechnic on Radio, Television etc.

 Display of classified ads. Newspaper, Trade, Technical and Professional Journals

 Directing and producing Taped/Recorded Radio/TV interviews, studio interviews, phone in-news on the polytechnic.

 Organizing Press facility visits

 Liaison between the Polytechnic and the Federal Ministry of Education, National Board for Technical education, Federal Ministry of National Planning, Education Tax Fund, Petroleum Tax Fund, Federal Ministry of Finance.

 Liaison between the Polytechnic and Voluntary Service Organization

 VSO for the Polytechnic expatriate professional staff requirement

 Liaison between the Polytechnic and embassies (France) for assistance in stocking the Polytechnic bilingual (French) laboratory


Principal Assistant Registrar (Public Relations)
Head of Unit/Public Relations Officer, Federal Polytechnic, Offa

 Overseeing the overall Administration of the Public Relations Unit

 Maintaining good relationship between the school and the Host Community, Press, Staff, Students and other of the Polytechnic

 Advising the Management on matters pertaining to general Policy formulation;

 Undertaking the planning, editing and production of all publications of the public relations Unit of the Polytechnic in House organs e.g. News Bulletin, News Flash, Press Release, Fedpoffa News;
 Dictating the terms of News Stories and feature articles on the Polytechnic

 Coordinating Documentary on the Polytechnic on Radio, television etc.

 Display of classified adverts. Newspaper, Trade, Technical and professional Journals;

 Directing and producing Tape/Recorded Radio/TV interviews, studio interviews, phone in-news on the polytechnic;

 Organizing Press facility visits

 Liaison between the Polytechnic and the Federal ministry of Education, National Board for Technical Education, Federal Ministry of National Planning, education Tax Fund, Petroleum Tax Fund, Federal Ministry of finance.

 Liaison between the Polytechnic and Voluntary service Organization VSO for the Polytechnic expatriate professional staff requirement

 Liaison between the Polytechnic and embassies (France) for assistance in stocking the Polytechnic bilingual (French) laboratory


Principal Assistant Registrar (Senior Staff Establishment) August 2000- 2001
Head of Unit
Federal Polytechnic, Offa

 Overseeing the overall discipline of the Registry;

 In Charge of senior staff personal matters; recruitment, promotion/advancement, salary administration and Salary upgrading;

 Providing essential support for senior e.g. Staff accommodation and other welfare facilities

 Formulation of administrative budgets, proposals and where necessary checking administrative votes;

 Preparation of reports, annual and monthly;

 Undertaking senior and staff deployment and allocating administrative facilities;

 Assisting the Registrar to cover meeting of Governing council;

 Assisting the Registrar to cover the meeting in the institution;

 Preparation of document for interview appointment and staff promotion of senior staff;

 Collection on interview brief for appointments and promotion of senior staff

 Preparation of interview briefs for appointments and promotion of senior staff

 Implementing directives on posting and reposting of senior staff;


Principal Assistant Registrar
Head of Unit/School Officer
School of Engineering - 2001-2003

 Registrar’s representative at the school level

 Responsible to the Director for the day-day administration of the school

 Secretary to all statutory committees in the school i.e.
i. School board (mini management)
ii. School board of studies (mini academic board)
iii. School Promotion Review Committee
iv. Admission Committees
v. Examination malpractices
vi. Any adhoc committee
vii. School screening Committee

 Handle students’ registration

 Collate results from every department under the school for academic board meeting

 Collate students paper for NYSC mobilization

 Responsible signing of paper i.e. bursary forms etc.

 Attend Academic Board meeting and could be requested to brief the academic board on issues concerning his school

 Implement decisions of various committees

 Custodian of staff and stude4nts records in the school

 Keep and update statistics on staff and students especially with student’s enrolment and graduation

 Assist HODs in the conduct of student’s departmental association elections


Principal Assistant Registrar
Head of Unit/School Officer
School of communication and Information Technology - Dec. 2004 – 2007

 Registrar’s representative at the school level
 Responsible to the Director for the day-day administration of the school
 Secretary to all statutory committees in the school i.e.
 School board (mini management)
 School board of studies (mini academic board)
 School Promotion Review Committee
 Admission Committees
 Examination malpractices
 Any adhoc committee
 School screening Committee
 Handle students registration
 Collate results from every department under the school for academic board
 meeting

 Collate students papers for NYSC mobilization

 Responsible signing of paper i.e. bursary forms etc.

 Attend Academic Board meeting and could be requested to brief the academic board on issues concerning his school

 Implement decisions of various committees

 Custodian of staff and students records in the school

 Keep and update statistics on staff and students especially with students’ enrolment and graduation

 Assist HODs in the conduct of students’ departmental association elections

 Member Federal Polytechnic, Offa Staff Primary School Governing Board (2002 – 2008)

 Member /Secretary Committee on solving establishment problems in the health Center (2000)

 Member Committee on computerization of payment of staff salaries, Federal Polytechnic, Offa (2000)

 Secretary Junior Staff Appointment and Promotions Committee (2007 till Date)

 Chairman, Credit and Thrift Cooperative Society Committee on acquisition of land for members. (2000)

 Member, Housing Loan Committee Federal Polytechnic Offa (1998 to 2001)

 Member, Examination Time table Committee (1992 to 1995)

 Secretary, Examination Malpractice (1992 to 1995)

 Secretary, Staff Development Committee (2000 to 2001)


Deputy Registrar (Junior Staff Establishment) - 2007 – February 2010
Head of Unit

 Overseeing the overall discipline of the Registry

 In charge of Junior Staff personnel matters, recruitment, promotion/advancement, salary administration and salary, upgrading etc.

 Providing essential support for junior staff e.g. accommodation and other welfare facilities

 Formulation of administrative budgets, proposals and where necessary checking
administrative votes.

 Preparation of reports, annual and monthly.

 Undertaking Junior Staff deployment and allocating administrative facilities.

 Assisting Registrar to cover meetings as secretary Junior staff appointment and promotion committee JUSAPCO.

 Assisting Registrar to cover other sundry meetings where necessary in the institution.

 Preparation of documents for interview appointment and staff promotion of junior staff.

 Collation of interview brief for appointment and promotion of junior staff.

 Implementing directives on posting and reposting of senior staff.


Deputy Registrar (Student Affairs) - 2010 -2011
Head of Unit

There are five units in the Students Affairs viz

1. Guidance and Counseling Unit
2. Students Welfare and Scholarship/Bursary Unit
3. Students Services Unit
4. Students Union Government, Clubs and Association Matters Unit
5. National Youth Service Corps Matters Unit

All the Unit Heads who are not less than Senior Assistant Registrars report directly to the Deputy Registrar who supervises, coordinates, monitors and evaluate their jobs and its outputs.

Deputy Registrar (General Administration and External Funding Desk Officer) - 2011
Head of Unit


 In charge of the general administration of the Polytechnic on behalf of the Registrar

 In charge of interfacing with international donor organizations and national donor organizations

 In charge of interfacing with national and international non-governmental organizations

 In charge of interfacing with organizations giving grants and scholarships to faculty members of our institution to acquire PhD overseas.


PRESENT APPOINTMENT WITH DATE AND SALARY

Deputy Registrar (General Admin/External Funding)
Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
CONTEDISS 14 Step 9

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

1. The Social and Economic History of the
Opinmejila in the 19th and 20th century submitted
In partial fulfillment of B.A. (Hons) History - 1983

2. The Strategic Imperative of Scientific
Management and Administrative of Public
Organizations in Nigeria. A case study of
Jakura Marble Industry Lokoja, M.P.A. - 1990

3. The Problems of the Management Development
Unit of the Governor’s Office, Ilorin ASCON - 1991

4. Federal Polytechnic, Offa
News Bulletin (Several Copies)
In-house Journal of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa - 1995 – 2000

5. Fedpoffa News
A Publication of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa
Public Relations Unit - 1996 – 2000

6. News Flash
A publication of the Public Relations Unit of
Federal Polytechnic, Offa
Designed for carry emergency News items
News line which required urgent publications/usage) - 1995-2000


EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Reading
Watching Movies
Sports - Polo, Horse Riding









NAME AND ADDRESS OF THREE REFEREES

1. Engr. Dr. Mrs. Taiwo Adeife –Osemekhian
Pioneer Rector,
Federal Polytechnic, Offa
E-mail Address: Taiwo44@hotmail.com
Tel: 00913852560771,


2. Dr. M. O. Olatinwo
The Rector,
Federal Polytechnic,
P. M. B. 420, Offa,
Kwara State.


3. Alh. Abdulhamid O. Raji
The Registrar,
Federal Polytechnic,
P. M. B. 420, Offa,
Kwara State.

STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
By Adetunji Oni Adeoni2004@yahoo.com
@adetunjioni

TERTIARY EDUCATION:

It is also referred to as third stage, third level, and post secondary education. It is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, University preparatory school. Higher Education is taken to include undergraduate and post graduate education.

Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities are the main institutions in Nigeria that provide tertiary education which are sometimes known collectively as tertiary institutions and generally culminates in the receipts of certificates, diplomas or academic degrees.

On the 14th July, 2010, almost all media: print, radio and television electronic media reported Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, Executive Secretary, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Nigeria as saying “admission into tertiary institutions (in Nigeria) as survival of the fittest.”

He was further quoted as positing that of the 867,000 candidates who scored above 180 marks in the Joint Admission Examinations, 366,000 would not be admitted in 2010 because the combined capacity of Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Education for the 2010 admission year is only 527,000 adding that others who may be qualified would have to reapply in the Year 2011.

It must be understood that the figure of those who may not gain admission in 2010 would certainly be more than what is painted above as some institutions are requesting for candidates with the score of 200 and not 180 for admission as directed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME). In the 2011 Admissions the University of Ilorin rejected 16,043 students who were qualified but which the University had no carrying capacity to take.

The admissions into tertiary institutions situation has been going on like this for over a decade. Prof. Dibu Ojerinde said except access to tertiary institutions is enhanced, the country (Nigeria) will continue to have this lot of people waiting endlessly for admission (into tertiary institutions).

As a result of the changes propelled by the knowledge industry, the quest for higher education is being intensified as can be seen with the numbers that yearly seek access to higher education.

Regrettably, Nigeria and the African Continent do not belong to the communion of knowledge because our contribution to the development of Science and Technology is negligible because the number of tertiary institutions in the Continent is inadequate to generate the size and quality of human capital needed to transform the socio-economic environment of the Continent.

The above picture is well painted by the former Executive Secretary National Universities Commission, Professor Peter Okebukola in an interview in the Guardian in 2004, citing the “2000 and 2002 world Science Report”. The Professor described Nigeria as belonging to the “ignoble group” of scientifically backward nations. Africa, he observed has only 0.4% of the worlds Scientists and Engineers.

This problem of low capacity has to be rectified by expanding opportunities for tertiary education.

The imperative of expanding access to higher education is also highlighted by the United Nations Development Programmes in its 2005, publication, investing in development: a practical plan to achieve millennium development goals where it observed that “enhancing Science and Technology Education has been one of the most critical sources of economic transformation. To develop science, technology and innovation capabilities, developing countries need to expand access to higher education”, especially Nigeria that intends to join the 20 most developed nations by the Year 2020.

Today, there are less than 150 Universities in Nigeria owned by Federal, State and Private individuals/organizations to cater for Nigeria with about 160 million people while for example as at 2002,, South Korea with a population of 45 million people had about 152 Universities. In the United Kingdom in 2005, they have about 350 Universities for their 55 million people. Certainly, Nigeria with its about 160 million deserves to have more tertiary institutions and Universities.

NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES IN SOME COUNTRIES
SN COUNTRY POPULATION NUMBER OF UNIVERSTIES
1. Nigeria About 160 million Less than 150
2. India 1 Billion 8,407
3. USA 290 million 5,758
4. Argentina 38 million 1,705
5. Spain 40.2 million 145
6. Mexico 10.9 million 1,341
7. Bangladesh 138 million 1,238
8. Indonesia 238 million 1,236
9. Japan 127 million 1,223

POSSIBLE OPTIONS OF ENHANCING ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Establishment of Campuses of Foreign Universities in Nigeria.
The government of Nigeria through its agencies should encourage foreign Universities particularly of friendly countries to come and establish campuses of their Universities in Nigeria.

The Executive arm of government through its Federal Ministry of Education, National Planning Youth and Foreign Ministries can do a lot in this area. The Legislative arm of Government should also through its Committees on Education, Youth, Foreign Affairs and National Planning do a lot in this area.

The recent fuel subside strike by Labour and its allies and the anger generated in some sections of the country should be a wakeup call for action in this area.

Encouraging Multinationals, Telecommunications giants and Companies and Rich Nigerians to Establish Universities.

The Federal Government is enjoined to through agencies establish contacts with multinationals, telecommunications giants, oil companies and wealthy Nigerians to establish Universities and tertiary institutions in Nigeria to meet the ever increasing need of youths for tertiary education.

Creation of a Central System of Regulated Part-Time Courses leading to awards of some degrees and diplomas by existing Tertiary Institutions.

The Federal and States Ministries of Education in conjunction with other allied agencies be made to create a central system of Regulated Part-Time Courses leading to the awards of some degrees and diplomas by existing Federal, State and Private owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Creation of Centrally Regulated Distance Learning Method of Acquisition of Tertiary Education by Existing Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria
The creation of centrally regulated and moderated system of distance learning whereby students will be maintained by a central body involving already existing tertiary institutions.

Increased Funding from Government to Existing Tertiary Institutions
Federal and State Governments are to as a matter of policy increase funding to the education sector to at least 30% of its annual budgets and/or including tertiary education funding into government’s SURE programme as the greatest transformation that can be achieved in the expansion of access to tertiary education in Nigeria.

Expansion and Increased Regulation of the National Open University
Government should as a matter of urgency expand the scope and increase regulation of the National Open University.

Creation of National Laureate Online System of Education
The government through its Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Communication and Technology, National Universities Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, National Communication Commission and other Regulatory Agencies create a National Laureate online system of acquisition of higher education whereby existing tertiary institutions would link to people interested in acquisition of a tertiary education.

Punch's Solution to joint admission crisis

After my Sunday 25 July 2010 posting on enhancing access to tertiary institutions in Nigeria, one of the countries respected newspaper 'The Punch' in its editorial Wednesday 28 July 2010 commented on the matter, please read through:

ENHANCING ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

ENHANCING ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: EXPLORING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NIGERIAN CAMPUSES OF FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES

Mr. President,

Congratulations on your elevation to the position of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to respectfully implore you, sir to take more than a cursory look to the issue of access to tertiary education in Nigeria especially university education.

On the 14^th July, 2010 almost all media (print media) and Radio and Television (electronic media) reported Prof. Dibu ojerinde Executive Secretary. Joint admission and matriculation board ( JAMB) as saying “admission into tertiary institutions as “survival of the fittest”.

He was further quoted as positing that of the 867,000 candidates who scored above 180, 366,000 would not be admitted this year (2010) because the combined capacity of Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics and colleges of Education for the current admission is only 527,000 adding that others who may be qualified would have to reapply next year.

This figure of those who may not gain admission would certainly be more that what is painted above as some institutions are requesting for candidates with 200 and not 180 for admission as directed by Jamb and the Federal Ministry of Education.

The situation has been going on like this for over a decade and would get worse by 2012 when the deluge of students from the UBE programme began by President Obasanjo are ready for higher education.

Prof. Diba Ojerinde said except access to tertiary institutions is enhanced, the country will continue to have this lot of people waiting endlessly for admission (into tertiary institutions).

Mr President, as a result of changes propelled by the knowledge industry, the quest for higher education is being intensified as can be seen with the numbers that yearly seek access to higher education Regretably, Nigeria and the African continent do not belong to the communion of knowledge because our contribution to the development of science and technology is negligible because the number of tertiary institution in the continent is inadequate to generate the size and quality of human capital needed to transform the socioeconomic environment of the continent.

The above picture is well painted by the former executive secretary of National Universities Commission , professor peter okebukola in an interview in the guardian in 2004 , citing the “2000 and 2002 world science reports,” the professor described Nigeria as belonging to the “ignoble” group” of scientifically backward nations, Africa he observed. has only 0.4% of the worlds scientists and engineers.

This problem of low capacity has to be rectified by expanding opportunities for university education and research.

The imperative of expanding access to higher education is also highlighted by the United Nations Development programmes in its 2005, publication, Investing in development: a practical plan to achieve millennium development goals where it observed that “enchanting science and technology education has been one of the most critical sources of economic transformation.

To develop science, technology and innovation capabilities developing countries need to expand access to higher education”, especially Nigeria that intends to join the 20 must developed nations by the year 2020. Today there are only 104 universities in Nigeria owned by federal, state and private individuals organization.

Certainly this number is inadequate for Nigeria with over 150 million people, for example south Korea with 45 million people had about 152 universities has at 2002. In 2005, the united kingdom had about 350 universities for it 55 million people, Nigeria with its 150 million population deserves to have more universities, and flying schools (pilot training institution).

please your Excellency take a look at Nigerias rating in this global picture from the table of selected countries from Africa , Asia, Europe and the Americas .

NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES IN SOME COUNTRIES

S/N	COUNTRY	POPULATION	NO. OF UNIVERSITIES
1.	Nigeria	150 million	104
2.	India	1 Billion	8,407
3.	U .S .A	290 Million	5,758
4.	Argentina	38.7 Million	1,705
5.	Spain	40.2 Million	145
6.	Mexico	10.9 Million	1,341
7.	Bangladesh	138,Million	1,238
8.	Indonesia	238 Million	1,236
9.	Japan	127 Million	1223

In the face of this bleak picture what we see in foreign universities daily hunting for students from Nigeria to go and acquire higher education at exorbitant rates far away from home where they are usually discriminated against because of their co lour.

Sir, let Nigeria through your government explore the option of inviting these foreign universities to come and establish Nigerian campuses of their institutions all over the six geo – political ones of Nigeria, after all in several other countries of the world including Africa we see campuses of foreign universities established for example in Malaysia the northingham university in the united kingdom has a campus in that Asian country. Also in Mauritus an island in Africa and Dubai there are campuses of foreign universities taking care of asses to higher education, just to mention a few examples.

Your government, sir, should cash on the goodwill you have successfully garnered since you came to power especially during your official visit to the united states, Canada and France by directly issuing a presidential request to the universities , flying school, maritime institution etc in the USA , UK, Canada, France, south Africa, Germany, china, Russia, Egypt, Japan, south Korea Hong Kong , Singapore , Australia , New Zealand ,

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc to come and establish Nigerian campuses of their home universities in Nigeria.

With the resolution of the Niger delta problem and the successes of the post amnesty programme, your call will be heeded. You may wish to setup a committee made up of the Presidency, ministry of education, the national universities commission working under your direct supervision to be saddled with the responsibility of taking your presidential message /request to the various institution and countries.

The president may need to send a bill expeditiously to the National Assembly allowing for a law for the establishment of Nigerian campuses of foreign universities in Nigeria as was gone in India earlier in the year to achieve expansion in access to universities. The Nigerian investment promotion commission act of 1995 which restrained the federal government from Nationalizing foreign companies should be widely published to give confidence to the foreign universities that nothing will happen to their institutions in whatever circumstances.

They, the foreign universities through their government should be informed that the act allows foreigners to own companies 100 percent in Nigeria without looking for any Nigerian to buy shares in them.

All prospective investors i.e foreign universities should also be made to understand that the foreign exchange miscellaneous provision act of 1995, which allows foreigners easy access to import capital into the country is part of the legislation that have been put in place to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

The success of the above proposal will engender economic boom through employment and contracts during construction and at the commencement of operation of the institutions, as some Nigerians in Diaspora would return to teach in the institutions apart from those at home who will secure jobs /opportunities.

I humbly submit to serve my fatherland in any committee or capacity to fast track the attainment of the goals intended if the president so wishes.

The successes of the plan will go a long way to enhance your election as president in 2011 when you finally decide to run, time is of essence sir, a group can be quickly assembled in conjunction with our embassies and made to travel to various capitals and institution to officially present your invitation with assurances of free land and government support by way of other waivers.

The success of this plan will propel Nigeria to the group of nations with high capacity to churn out international standard human capital whose qualifications will be world acclaim and universally accepted.

Your name and that of your tenure would be written in gold among the youths, who will gain easy access to higher education in their country,

Finally your Excellency, let this be your birthday gift or offering to Nigeria at 50.

Thank you,

Sir,

Yours faithfully,

Adetunji Oni,

adeoni2004@yahoo.com