A Thought About Nigerian Varsities

Once more, Nigerians are jolted by the harsh reality of the deteriorating state of the nation’s universities. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) global rankings, not one of the country’s 274 universities made it to the top 800 list. This marks the third consecutive year Nigerian universities have fallen in the rankings, with only Covenant University in the top 1,000.

The rankings measure universities on key indicators like research, teaching, and impact. For teaching, the focus is on the learning environment, while research quality is judged by citations, excellence, and influence. When THE released the rankings recently, top institutions like Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Lagos, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and the University of Ibadan couldn’t clinch the top 1,000 spots.

No Surprises Here

This ranking comes as no surprise, especially with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) repeatedly highlighting the neglect of universities. Underfunding, low lecturer pay, and the lack of a conducive learning environment are just some of the challenges that university teachers have repeatedly complained about. ASUU’s frequent strikes demanding better conditions underscore their frustration. As you read this, ASUU has issued a new ultimatum for yet another strike.

It’s unrealistic to expect a Nigerian public university to rank in the top 500 when university teachers have been in a protracted struggle with the government since 2009, battling for the implementation of an agreement that the government voluntarily signed.

In 2009, ASUU and the Nigerian government reached an agreement covering university conditions, funding, autonomy, and academic freedom. The deal aims to reverse the decline in the university education system, stem the brain drain by improving staff remuneration, and give universities the independence needed for real progress.

Yet, despite a renegotiation in 2021, ASUU is still fighting for its full implementation, having gone on strike more than seven times since then. The strikes have disrupted education, delayed students’ graduation and eroded confidence in the system. The resultant effect is a growing exodus to foreign universities, with many Nigerians opting for low-quality institutions in neighbouring countries just to ensure uninterrupted study. The government just set up another committee to renegotiate the agreement for yet another time.

For universities to thrive, they must enjoy academic freedom and autonomy. They should have control over what they teach and research and the freedom to govern themselves internally.

Without prevaricating, there is no substitute for true academic freedom and financial autonomy if we want a university system that can deliver quality teaching and research and drive economic growth.  Universities have a critical role in shaping national development, and this can only be possible under an atmosphere where they are guaranteed autonomy.

In Nigeria, our institutions lack the autonomy to make independent decisions and are stuck in a cycle of stagnation. This lack of autonomy is holding back research and learning, and the consequences are reflected in Nigeria’s poor global rankings.

Quantity Without Quality

Nigeria currently has 274 universities—149 private, 63 state-owned, and 62 run by the federal government. However, these institutions face significant challenges, including outdated infrastructure, a shortage of learning equipment, and the ongoing japa syndrome, where lecturers leave the country for better opportunities, depleting the teaching workforce.

With poor infrastructure and low staff pay, it’s no wonder Nigerian universities rank so poorly. However, this only reflects the deeper issue: lack of commitment to prioritise education.

For instance, the 2024 national budget allocates less than 7% to education, far below UNESCO’s recommended 15-20%. This trend of poor funding didn’t start with the current administration. Throughout President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office, the education budget hovered between 6 and 8 per cent.

From 2016 to 2023, Nigeria’s education budget fluctuated nominally and as a percentage of the total budget. In 2016, N369.6 billion, or 7.9 per cent, was allocated to education; N550.5 billion, or 7.4per cent, in 2017; N605.8 billion, or 7.04 per cent, in 2018; and N620.5 billion, or 7.05 per cent, in 2019. The figures continued to vary: N671.07 billion, or 6.7 per cent, in 2020; N742.5 billion, or 5.68 per cent, in 2021; N1.18 trillion, or 7 per cent, in 2022. The highest allocation came in 2023, with 8.8 per cent. The situation is even worse at the state level, where a significant gap exists between allocated funds and what is released.

More Universities?

Despite these challenges, political leaders seem to think that creating more universities is the answer. Currently, over 51 bills seek to establish new federal universities. These range from agriculture universities to specialized institutions for sports, languages, and health sciences.

These bills include those for the establishment of the Federal University of Education, Numan, Adamawa State; Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba; Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages, Aba; Ibile Entrepreneur University, Lagos; Federal University of Trade and Mentorship Studies, Isiala Mbano; Federal University of Technology and, Federal University of Technology, Kaduna

Other new varsities being contemplated even when the federal government has failed in ensuring effective funding of the existing ones include the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, Abia State; Federal University of Sports,  Karfi, Kano; Federal University of Information and Communication  Technology, Lagos; Federal University of Health Science, Kwankwaso, Kano State; Federal University of Science and Technology Remo, Ogun State; Federal University of Agriculture, Ute Okpa, Delta State; Federal University of Agriculture, Atomkpe Inamite, Cross Rivers State; Federal University of Oil and  Gas Technology, Okpai, Delta State; Federal University of  Biomedical Sciences Oju, Benue State Agada; and Federal University of  Environmental Science, Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State.

While most of these bills are at the first reading stage, a handful have passed the second reading, with some passed and awaiting presidential assent.

However, none of these bills looks patronising like Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu’s move to establish Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages at this time of advancement in science and technology, with a renewed emphasis on artificial intelligence.

Kalu took his passion for attracting the president’s attention and possibly admiration to a very ridiculous level by seeking to name the university after PBAT. This comes at a time when Nigerians, including residents of his Abia state, are facing serious hardship occasioned by PBAT’s ill-thought-out policies.

However, adding more universities will not solve the fundamental problems. Without proper funding, autonomy, and academic freedom, even a thousand more universities will not change the dismal state of Nigerian education.