‘Why we must fix our public varsities’

Why We Must Fix Our Public Varsities

Public universities in Nigeria, once the pride of Africa’s higher education system, are now in a state of deep crisis. The decline is evident in their infrastructure, funding, administration, and overall morale.

This situation has sparked urgent calls for reform, most notably articulated by Prof. Jonathan Oyebamiji Babalola, Vice Chancellor of Bowen University and former Provost of the Postgraduate College at the University of Ibadan.

In his reflections, he emphasizes that the survival of Nigeria’s intellectual and developmental future depends on fixing the rot in public tertiary institutions.

At the heart of the problem lies chronic underfunding. Public universities rely heavily on government allocations, which are often insufficient to maintain laboratories, libraries, and lecture halls. As a result, infrastructure has decayed, classrooms are overcrowded, and research facilities are outdated. This has led to a situation where even full professors struggle with poor working conditions, undermining morale and productivity.

The lack of adequate funding also fuels frequent strikes by academic staff unions, disrupting academic calendars and eroding the credibility of degrees awarded.

Another pressing issue is poor administration and governance. Many universities suffer from politicized appointments, lack of accountability, and weak leadership structures. This has created inefficiencies in resource management and weakened institutional autonomy.

According to education analysts, the absence of visionary leadership has contributed to the inability of universities to adapt to modern challenges, including the integration of technology and global academic standards.

The quality of education has also deteriorated. With overcrowded classrooms and insufficient teaching staff, students are often denied the personalized mentorship and rigorous training that higher education demands.

Employers increasingly complain that graduates lack critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills. Prof. Babalola warns that over-reliance on artificial intelligence without strengthening human creativity could further weaken minds, making the crisis not just infrastructural but intellectual.

The consequences of neglecting public universities are far-reaching. Nigeria risks losing its competitive edge in science, technology, and innovation. Brain drain continues as talented academics and students seek opportunities abroad, leaving behind institutions that struggle to attract and retain excellence.

Moreover, the widening gap between private and public universities threatens social equity, as only the wealthy can afford quality education in private institutions, while the majority are left with underperforming public schools.

Fixing public universities requires a multi-pronged approach. First, sustainable funding models must be established, possibly through public-private partnerships, alumni endowments, and research grants. Second, governance reforms are essential to ensure transparency, merit-based appointments, and accountability. Third, investment in infrastructure and digital learning tools must be prioritized to modernize campuses.

Finally, there must be a renewed focus on research and innovation, positioning universities as engines of national development rather than mere degree-awarding centers.

The call to fix Nigeria’s public universities is not just about saving institutions; it is about safeguarding the nation’s future. As Prof. Babalola insists, the crisis in higher education is a crisis of national survival.

Without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks producing generations ill-equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. The time to act is now, for the health of the universities is inseparable from the health of the nation itself.