LASU under fire for unveiling bread factory

The Lagos State University (LASU) has come under fire on social media after announcing its foray into the bread production business.

On Wednesday, the varsity said the initiative was part of efforts by Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the vice-chancellor, to increase the institution’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

In a Twitter post, the institution also said LASU bread will henceforth be sold within its main campus at Ojo.

“Accolades for the VC, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, as LASU Bakery opens for business. The bakery is part of her administration’s drive to increase IGR. The LASU Bread will henceforth be the only bread on the university’s main campus, Ojo,” the tweet reads.

The post has, however, provoked a wave of mixed reactions on the micro-blogging platform.

While some users lauded the initiative, a section of the users argued that the institution should focus on research and getting grants to support its operations.

Some users also called out the varsity over its alleged monopoly, adding that other brands of bread should be allowed within the institution.

Reacting in the comment section, Babatunde Irukera, chief executive officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), said the directive by LASU “violates competition law”.

“I am afraid this presents a potential violation of competition law. Under the FCCPA, it’s an offense to to limit competition in this manner, LASU is not exempted because govts are also subject when they engage in commerce. I assume this statement doesn’t convey what it says,” he wrote.

I am afraid this presents a potential violation of competiton law. Under the FCCPA, it’s an offense to to limit competition in this manner, LASU is not exempted because govts are also subject when they engage in commerce. I assume this statement doesn’t convey what it says.

— Babatunde Irukera (@TundeIrukera) March 29, 2023

Advertisement

Here are what others had to say:

This is very disturbing. A bakery?? What happened to funding Research?? Where there is no completion, there no innovation

— HRH-FIFI (MIQUEEN) (@HrhOffid) March 30, 2023

Advertisement

Isn't it worrisome that a UNIVERSITY is being applauded for opening a bakery when their counterparts outside the country are focused on researches and grants to increase IGR?

— Dr Uzoma Ajegbo (BBM) (@Drmuzoic) March 30, 2023

Monopoly…
Lol
When Great IFE did this, it didn't need to ban it's competitors.
It was the best at inception,plus people just bought because the brand.
OAU people love anything Great IFE.
They hate the school, the mgt but not the brand.

— Big Papa Wolf ³⁵ (@Mr_AlphaTee) March 29, 2023

This is a whole LASU o, with access to at least 600 billion naira Lagos state IGR. The resorted to baking bread for IGR. The topmost state University in the 5th largest economy in Africa o. Bread, is their advert on Elon Musk's twitter.

— To Wild cards 🥂 (@EagleRye) March 29, 2023

You know you are in trouble if the means of increasing IGR in a tertiary institution is selling bread, bread o, not grants for researches o nothing, bread

— 👑 Olumicome 👑 (@AbefeAdee) March 29, 2023

You create a monopoly and kill off all the other small businesses serving the same market. If your product is good, then compete in the open market. As a university offering degrees in business, we shouldn’t need to tell you this

— Canadian Naija Monger 🇨🇦 (@naijamonger) March 30, 2023

Anti-competition practices should not be encouraged in a citadel of learning. I hope there will be no restriction for other traders who sell bread from other vendors

— Sodiq Omoola PhD. (@surdeeeq) March 29, 2023

While I recognize the need for universities to raise IGR, I’m not sure enterprises like bread making by an academic institution resonates well with me. Couldn’t there be academic exercises/consultancies that can raise revenue? All these pure water, bread making ventures, 🤷‍♀️

— Temitope (@Temitope_AA) March 29, 2023

Uiversities are partnering with Adobe and Microsoft so that students can access learning tools with their university emails to advance learning and meet basic requirements to integrate into the global economy but no worries, let us eat bread. Malt & fruit one dey?

— Leah (@LeahRazor) March 29, 2023

And they've monopolized bread baking inside LASU, how's that worth encomiums?

— Jorge (@kkingjorge) March 30, 2023

Good initiative but making it the only bread in the campus is monopoly play. 1. Production might not meet up with consumption rate. 2. Affordability is another issue esp among the students 3. Consistency, can they keep up? and so on..

I'm Proudly LASUMBA

— Abiodun (@kaka_kakson) March 29, 2023

This is a great concept,and a nice inward thinking for revenue generation. It is my believe that competition drives productivity. It is important to have healthy competition even within the university wall,but it will be a great idea to have it marketed beyond school premises.

— Smith LKB (@sweetsmitholala) March 29, 2023

They should have added something academic tone like "metfominated bread with ultra low glycemic index from university of Lagos" that will save diabetic patients

— MW (@bicarb28) March 29, 2023