The General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Prof. Daniel Olukoya, has attributed the high tuition fees charged by faith-based universities in Nigeria to the escalating costs of maintenance and energy, particularly power generation.
Olukoya, speaking after receiving an honorary doctorate in Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), explained that soaring energy tariffs are significantly affecting the operations of Nigerian universities, including those owned by religious institutions.
According to him, the cost of running these schools, particularly energy expenses, is a major factor driving tuition fees higher. Olukoya, who also owns Mountain Top University in Ogun State, one of the 13 faith-based universities in the country, acknowledged that many parents struggle to afford the fees.
“It is not the fault of the proprietors. I am one of them. I am always on the side of the poor because I understand how difficult it can be to afford an education. My parents didn’t have the means,” Olukoya said.
He emphasized that competitive salaries are necessary to attract qualified professors and lecturers, adding that private universities cannot afford to pay less than federal institutions if they aim to hire top talent.
“The cost of running these universities is enormous. For instance, in our university, a significant portion of the revenue goes toward diesel to power generators. We are now working on installing solar systems to reduce costs,” he said.
Addressing the broader challenges facing Nigeria, such as security and economic difficulties, Olukoya stressed the need for divine intervention.
“There is only one weapon that can address any problem, and that is prayer. No matter how daunting the issue, prayer can dismantle it,” he stated. “What Nigeria needs now is divine intervention. God’s help is beyond human understanding, and recent global events have shown that mankind is often helpless without it.”
Olukoya’s comments highlight the complex challenges faced by faith-based institutions and their reliance on innovative solutions to manage costs while maintaining academic standards.
