The National Universities Commission (NUC) has spotlighted pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, citing poor governance, academic corruption, and inadequate funding as primary concerns.
In a keynote address at the 2024 Registry Lecture held at Babcock University, Ilishan, Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki, detailed the troubling decline in the nation’s university system over the past three decades. The lecture, themed “Role Of The Administrator in Changing University Environment; Issues and Prospects,” underscored the stark contrast between Nigeria’s once-celebrated graduates and the current landscape beset by numerous challenges.
Maiyaki highlighted several issues contributing to the sector’s decline, including economic pressures, manpower shortages, and frequent strike actions. He emphasized that while Nigerian universities once enjoyed a stellar reputation both nationally and globally, these issues have eroded that standing.
“The golden years of our universities are behind us, overshadowed by a downturn driven by economic stress and inadequate funding,” Maiyaki said. He pointed out that the value of the Naira has diminished, making it increasingly difficult to maintain state-of-the-art facilities and procure necessary academic resources like journals, books, and laboratory equipment.
Addressing these issues, Maiyaki urged university administrators to leverage technology and artificial intelligence to drive institutional innovation and improve governance. He stressed that effective administration and governance are crucial for institutional success and long-term growth.
“We need more PhDs and stable systems to counter the current instability in our universities,” Maiyaki added. “Sustained funding and systemic reforms are essential for overcoming these challenges.”
Maiyaki also encouraged administrators to build robust relationships with external stakeholders and called for collaborative efforts to create policies that will guide institutions towards achieving their objectives. He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential for improvement, noting recent advancements in university rankings despite the sector’s struggles.
“We have shown resilience and made progress in re-engineering our curriculum to align with global best practices,” Maiyaki remarked. “I appeal to Babcock University and all Nigerian universities to work with the commission to advance higher education values defined by excellence, equity, and global competence.”
In his opening remarks, Prof. Ademola Tayo, Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, emphasized the importance of the lecture as a platform for addressing critical issues and fostering dialogue among stakeholders. Tayo expressed hope that the discussions would lead to actionable solutions and significant reforms in the university system.
“The lecture aims to stimulate stakeholders to enhance their contributions to the educational sector,” Tayo said. “We hope to develop practical solutions that will revitalize the university system and propel the nation forward.”
The NUC’s call for reform and collaboration underscores the urgent need to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education sector and to create a robust framework for future growth and excellence.
