The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has outlined critical challenges facing Nigeria’s university system while proposing pragmatic solutions to them.
He was the guest speaker at a valedictory lecture held at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS). The lecture, part of the “ASUU UDUS Heroes’ Day” organized by the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), honored the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of UDUS, Professor Lawal Bilbis.
Professor Ogundipe, an expert in botany, identified several pressing issues plaguing Nigerian universities, including severe underfunding, dilapidated infrastructure, brain drain, overcrowded classrooms, and leadership deficiencies, which collectively result in producing unemployable graduates.
He emphasized that improved funding and prudent utilization of resources are essential to addressing these challenges.
However, he acknowledged the significant difficulty in obtaining the vast financial resources needed.
As a strategic alternative, Ogundipe advocated for the adoption of online education.
He argued that online education offers a scalable and cost-efficient method for expanding access to higher education without the prohibitive expenses associated with constructing and maintaining additional physical infrastructure.
“Given the impracticality of investing trillions of naira towards new university building projects, a cost-efficient alternative that the nation should embrace is online education,” he stated.
Further, Ogundipe highlighted the importance of modernizing university facilities and equipment to enhance teaching and learning.
He called for accountability in the utilization of funds provided by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), urging universities to report substandard supplies to ensure high-quality educational resources.
In his speech, Professor Bilbis underscored the necessity for a paradigm shift in university governance and operations.
He lamented the frequent industrial actions that tarnish the reputation of Nigerian universities and called for dynamic changes to foster productivity and stability within the institutions.
Bilbis pointed out that the meager government allocation is insufficient to cover even basic operational costs, such as electricity bills, stressing the dire need for improved funding.
The valedictory event also saw ASUU-UDUS presenting awards of excellence to retired members and posthumous honors to late academics who had significantly contributed to the university.
One of the awardees, Hamidu Ahmed, an emeritus Professor of Paediatrics, was awarded posthumously. He died on 3 July.
Other awardees are Nuhu Yaqub, a Professor of Political science; Abdulganiyu Salawu, a Professor of Guidance and Counselling; Yusuf Saidu, a Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry; Yahaya Al-amin, a Professor of Islamic Literature; Saidya Omar, a professor of Hausa Literature; Mohammed Mode, a professor of Science of Tafsir; Sulaiman Etsay, a Professor of Islamic Studies, and Mohammed Magaji, a Professor of Agronomy.
Others are Muhammad Mustapha, Muhammad Dangana, Atiku Ahmad, Ibrahim Alhassan, Abdullahi Abdulkarim, Abdulganiyu Bello, Aliyu Yusuf, Auwal Abdulnasir, and Abubakar Tsoho, all professors.
The academics also extolled late members, including Yusuf Saidu, a professor who was recently murdered by bandits in Zamfara during a trip from Sokoto to Kaduna State.
This gesture aimed to celebrate and acknowledge the dedication and impact of these scholars on the institution and the broader academic community.
The discussions and recommendations presented by both Ogundipe and Bilbis highlight the critical need for systemic reforms and innovative approaches to revitalize Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, ensuring it can meet contemporary demands and future challenges.
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