Nigerian Universitie Lack Quality, In Hopeless Situation – Covenant University’s VC
In the latest interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL of PUNCH Newspaper, Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Ayo Charles, says more Nigerians will seek university admissions abroad if the Federal Government continues to ignore the problems of education as our Universities in Nigeria lack quality.
Does Nigeria have enough universities to accommodate students?
Currently, we do not have enough universities to cater for the academic yearning of our youths. We are experiencing huge challenges of access and quality. This is most unfortunate as this portends danger and a bleak future for the generations unborn if not attended to urgently.
According to the last UTME report, about 1.7 million applicants participated in the examination but there is capacity for only 500 thousand candidates, thus, 1.2 million candidates would have to wait till another year. If with about 125 universities in Nigeria the situation is as stated above, then we need more universities. I have not bothered to separate the polytechnics from the colleges of education in Nigeria because the margin would still be about the same.
In Nigeria the existing universities lack the required quality. We appear to be in a hopeless situation and government should be more concerned because of the effect this could have on the society. Without a solution to this problem, there may not be holistic and lasting solution to examination malpractices both during the entrance examination and even within the university system. By extension, the issue of unemployment, youth restiveness, corruption and other social vices would continue to exist in our society.
You must have observed a number of foreign universities now offer admissions to Nigerian students. It was reported that Ghana realizes about $1bn yearly on account of Education Tourism. This is made possible because the country has good planning, quality educational system, steady academic calendar, better funding and improved infrastructure. Nigeria needs to invest more to be in this class.
WHAT’S YOUR OWN VIEW?
