By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The Vice Chancellor of Elizade University’s, ilara- Mokin, Ondo state, Professor Philip Oguntunde, has cautioned parents against sending their children abroad for undergraduate studies, citing potential risks and consequences.

Speaking during a Town-and-Gown engagement with secondary school administrators, Oguntunde, likened such decisions to “donating children to the devil”.

He emphasized that his stance is personal, sharing that he turned down foreign education offers for his own children, insisting they complete their first degree in Nigeria.

“Many parents who sent their children abroad at a young age are now facing regret, he noted.

Oguntunde highlighted issues with value erosion, weakened family bonds, and emotional disconnect between parents and children.

“Young people exposed to foreign cultures early on often lose touch with their roots and sense of responsibility, he said.

He advised parents to let their children complete their first degree in Nigeria before sending them abroad for further studies, when they’re more mature.

“Early exposure to foreign environments can lead to cultural dislocation and negative behaviors.

Oguntunde emphasized that Nigeria’s universities provide quality foundational education, and that brain drain is a significant concern.

The Vice Chancellor said that he turned down two foreign education offers for his own children and insisted that they undertake their first degree in Nigeria, a decision he says he has never regretted.

According to him, emerging realities show that many parents who rushed to send their children overseas at a tender age are now grappling with deep regret.

Beyond the allure of foreign education, he noted, lies a growing crisis of value erosion, weakened family bonds, and emotional disconnect between parents and their children.

Oguntunde painted a sobering picture of families dealing with the aftermath of such decisions, explaining that many young people, when exposed too early to foreign cultures, gradually lose touch with their roots, moral upbringing, and sense of responsibility to their families.

He said, “Allow your children and wards to acquire their first degree in Nigeria; otherwise, you may have unwittingly donated them to the devil. After their first degree, you can now release them to go abroad for further studies, when they have attained a greater level of maturity.”

According to him early exposure to foreign environments often breeds cultural dislocation, as young students adopt alien lifestyles and mindsets that may predispose them to negative behaviours, ultimately leading to long-term regret for their families.

Oguntunde highlighted the broader implications, including the continuous depletion of Nigeria’s intellectual capital through brain drain, insisting that the nation’s universities are well-positioned to provide quality foundational education.

In his remarks, the Registrar of Elizade University, Mr Omololu Adegbenro, assured stakeholders that the institution remains a hub of academic excellence with a strong focus on global competitiveness.

Adegbenro noted that all 32 academic programmes offered by the University are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission.

He spotlighted the Nursing programme, describing it as exceptional, noting that graduates earn four distinct professional and academic certifications, giving them a competitive edge both locally and internationally.

Also, the University Bursar, Mr. Olusegun Ajeigbe, underscored the institution’s commitment to accessibility through a flexible and modest fee structure, alongside a robust welfare scheme designed to support students facing unforeseen financial challenges, including the loss of a sponsor.

The University Librarian, Dr. Ayooluwa Aregbesola, noted that the institution boasts highly motivated staff and a well-resourced, technology-driven library system that ensures seamless access to academic materials for both students and faculty.

Responding, several school administrators commended Elizade University for its balanced academic offerings, serene learning environment, and proactive engagement with stakeholders.

They called for sustained collaboration between the University and secondary schools, describing such initiatives as critical to strengthening the bridge between academic institutions and society.

They noted that “the Town-and-Gown meeting, reflects the University’s commitment to inclusive development and its vision of nurturing globally competitive graduates without losing touch with core societal values.