Nigeria’s Struggling University System: An International Perspective

June 2, 2025

  • By Oludayo Tade

Professor Enikankalomo has shown great dedication to his profession. He is committed to nurturing future leaders, sharing his work through top-tier publications, and ensuring recognition for those he mentors.
university
And the nation’s position on the global map is just part of the story. Upon joining the university system, it was still operational; there was power for conducting research, publishing findings, and teaching. The economic conditions were more favorable then, allowing him to make thoughtful use of the available resources and manage to get by.

With time, electricity supply became epileptic, his laboratory that once had some materials to work with lacked the essentials. He could not teach his students again with modern equipment. Suddenly, the stove replaced the Bunssen burner in the laboratory. Some of his friends who could afford powering their generators to carry out experiments could no longer do that without experiencing severe strain on their resources.

As he approaches retirement, Professor Enikanlomo reflects on what the government plans to provide for him. Currently, his salary slightly exceeds N500,000. Back when he started, he was driven by enthusiasm. However, this zeal is fading away—or perhaps it’s completely gone now. The repeated letdowns due to governmental neglect in enhancing lecturer remuneration and work environments have left deep scars. Looking backward, Professor Enikanlomo encapsulates his sentiments under the heading of the valedictory lecture delivered by the esteemed former professor of radiation and health, Idowu Farai: “The university I entered was superior compared to the one I am leaving.”

The public university system in Nigeria is facing severe challenges. Do not let either the federal or state governments deceive you into thinking otherwise. Even our university administrators are beginning to resemble those in government positions. They tend to create deceptive appearances by repainting buildings and constructing grand entrances.
While these university gates might look impressive, the reality faced by educators responsible for imparting knowledge is disheartening. These professors find little reason for optimism; they work hard without admitting that their aspirations have been crushed. Each morning when they head to their workplaces, they feel undervalued and disregarded. Often, they question whether entering this honorable field was a mistake.
Their working conditions are bleak: many share cramped office spaces due to inadequate facilities. Without access to updated resources, they must rely on personal funds just to stay informed about recent developments in their fields. Teaching overcrowded classrooms further strains their efforts. Moreover, basic amenities such as reliable power supply remain scarce at their institutions.

The quality of life has decreased for many people. Poor economic strategies from the present government have led numerous educators to leave their vehicles at home. To cut down on high transport expenses, some now walk long distances. Individuals who own multiple cars have started keeping one stationary to use a single vehicle jointly with their spouses for transporting children to school. Others facing health issues find it difficult to keep up with regular medical appointments and afford necessary treatments due to financial constraints.

Junior academics worry about their prospects should the situation continue to deteriorate. Recently, during an academic hiring process, young male PhD holders were offered positions as Lecturers II. A Lecturer II typically takes home around N180,000 post-tax, whereas a freshly appointed Professor earns less than N500,000 monthly at Nigerian public universities. Several new appointees tendered their resignations just a few months following their acceptance. They argued that such salaries make it challenging to support themselves and start families amid the current economic hardship. This dire state of affairs within Nigeria’s university framework implies that competent thinkers are steering clear of academia, while individuals without scholarly inclinations are entering the field instead. Consequently, the outlook for higher education appears bleak.

As young lecturers depart or seek alternatives, veteran faculty members are disheartened. Meanwhile, those at the midpoint of their careers feel stuck. Lecturers in this middle phase often pool resources to secure accreditation for their courses. The administration at these institutions acts like parasites, withholding adequate funds needed for departmental operations. As a result, Heads of Departments turn into ‘corporate beggars,’ constantly searching for donors willing to provide essentials such as paper and computers.

The accommodations for students on campus are inadequate. It’s impossible to effectively educate anyone under such conditions, making them unlikely to support funding educational initiatives once they hold public office. As a result, many mid-career academics view academia as merely a stepping stone towards professorship abroad, often leaving the country with their families in pursuit of better opportunities, even if just to live comfortably until retirement. For these individuals, remaining in their current positions feels akin to enduring a sweltering day in a stuffy room filled with mosquitos buzzing ’emilokan’ (it is my turn to feed).

The offspring of professors are discouraged from pursuing teaching careers themselves; they fear potential hardships. Some kids have confronted their parents, stating plainly that all they know is English and expressing lack of financial resources. It’s unfair to fault these young ones. Having spent considerable time in Nigeria, they understand well the saying ‘Olowo layemo’—success is celebrated when one amasses wealth.

Amidst the harsh circumstances, educators find themselves struggling for basic sustenance. Consequently, much of their focus shifts towards mere survival rather than fully engaging with their roles, resulting in diminished enthusiasm and dedication toward their tasks. An unmotivated staff tends to underperform significantly. Additionally, the authorities do not permit rapid replacements for retiring faculty members. Thus, individual instructors end up managing numerous classes and an escalating student population simultaneously. These professors oversee PhD candidates, master’s degree aspirants, as well as undergraduate learners. With each educator responsible for guiding upwards of twenty pupils spanning various educational tiers within one term, ensuring high-quality mentorship becomes increasingly challenging. This excessive workload undertaken by teachers due to insufficient recruitment efforts is referred to as earned academic benefits; however, multiple administrations have failed to promptly settle these dues owed to the academics.

Five months have passed since the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, left the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in limbo regarding the renegotiation of the 2009 pact. The union came to terms with the committee headed by Yayale Ahmed following the examination of the Nimi Briggs-led FGN-ASUU Renegotiation Committee’s report in December 2024. At the time of compiling this article, ASUU members continue to await the formal signing of the agreement.

Moreover, the FG committee has made several commitments to the union that remain unfulfilled. As stated by ASUU President Chris Pinuwa, “The government committed to incorporating Earned Academic Allowances into their salaries through the establishment of an ‘Irregular Allowance’ under the 2026 Budget. This follows the allocation of fifty billion naira for arrears and twenty-nine billion naira set aside for covering the 2025 Earned Academic Allowances. Additionally, they promised to provide one hundred and fifty billion naira as revitalization funding within four weeks starting from April 2025. Nonetheless, these pledges have yet to be honored.”

As we step into June 2025, the academic community anticipates that the president will refrain from viewing faculty members as adversaries who must be suppressed and marginalized. It is unrealistic to mistreat educators and still anticipate their ability to effectively convey information. Adequate resources and fair compensation for lecturers are essential, alongside ensuring universities possess necessary facilities and tools via consistent financial support provided by both federal and state authorities.

Communities should collaborate with educators to preserve public universities. These institutions continue to attract the highest enrollment because of their cost-effectiveness and ease of access. Nonetheless, opening additional universities serves little purpose unless they receive adequate funding. While communities hosting these new universities might celebrate ‘awonlokans,’ we risk merely creating local centers rather than global hubs, thus exacerbating average performance issues. It’s crucial to tackle the declining quality of education in public universities promptly. Nigeria won’t progress until it resolves the challenges facing its higher educational system.


• Professor Tade pens writings from the University of Ibadan, located in Oyo State.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
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