By our reporter
The family of Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, founder and pro-chancellor of Baze University in Abuja, is once again in the spotlight after his son graduated from Queen Mary University in London. The ceremony follows last year’s graduation of his daughter from the University of Reading, United Kingdom.
The milestone achievements, while celebrated by the family, have stirred conversation on social media about the confidence Nigerian elites place in the country’s private universities — including those they themselves establish. Critics suggest the choice reflects a lack of trust in local institutions, while others argue it demonstrates a desire for international exposure and networking opportunities for the children.
Baze University, established in 2011, markets itself as a leading provider of quality tertiary education in Nigeria, offering a range of academic programs and boasting modern facilities. The decision of its founder’s children to study abroad, however, has prompted renewed scrutiny of the challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education sector, from global recognition to research funding and specialized course offerings.
As the debate continues, the development raises questions about what it will take for Nigeria’s universities — public and private alike — to become the first-choice destination for even their own founders’ families.
