Nigeria’s inefficient university system

Nigeria’s university system is a prisoner of inefficiency. It has deteriorated into a disorganised institution filled with inept people that churn out incompetent graduates using inadequate facilities.

The current strike, and several others in past, have distracted the attention of the public to what is inherently wrong with our publicuniversities. These problems cannot be solved with indefinite strikes and insincere negotiations.

The numerous problems of our university system require a mix of biopsy and therapy – applying bandage each time one of these problems comes up is worse than treating symptoms.When cells multiply uncontrollably they destroy healthy tissues. Adopting a lifestyle, a healthy diet, regular exercise etc, can prevent the chances of developing cancer. If the cancer is diagnosed early, a biopsy is the most effective way to remove it, otherwise it is treated with acombination of therapies eg, chemotherapy.

The federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are to blame. An implacable ASUU and an insensitive federal government are blinded by personal interests. Neither of them is patriotic. ASUU’s excusable concern about money for needed projects and about the N30 billion in arrears of earned allowance of deserving staff is short-sighted.

Government is the more short-sighted of the two – politicians and their appointees; have at least four years to perform. ASUU, on the other hand, is made up of people guaranteed with a job for life – lecturers retire at 65 while professors and readers stop lecturing at 70. Both are unaccountable to students, their real constituency. (18 to 35 year-olds are the largest demographic bracket in Nigeria). ASUU and government can thus afford to treat Nigerians to an unjust,deleterious and detestable show of never-ending musical chairs. The 2 million Nigerian undergraduates and the millions of Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 25 who are unable to get admission are the suffering and smiling spectators.

If either ASUU or the government were true supporters of Nigeria they would tackle the inefficiency in our universities. Only a negligent government will sign an agreement, plan not to honour it until it is threatened by strike and then repeatedly borrow money to pay arrears earned by staff of a vital institution without demanding improvements.

To meet demands of civil servants, university staff included, government had to increase wages. To pay these salaries government often borrows money by issuing bonds.

The high interest rates government pays for these bonds is not yielding commensurable benefits. As far as federal universities are concerned, what Nigerians get in return is a dismal shortage of qualified and employable graduates. Banks that earn a handsome income from buying government bonds complain about the dearth of talent. According to a government report, government pays N6 million for each of the 2 million undergraduates studying four-year programmes at federal universities. A similar degree in a private university costs N4 million.

Therefore it is time to seriously explore therapies that combine autonomy with responsibility; encourage competition and give students a choice.

Hence, we are strongly in support of directly paying students’ tuition to the university they choose. Give each university the independence to manage the income generated from tuition, grants (based on measurable goals), capital expenditure etc.

Paying tuition to the admitted students’ university of choice will introduce competition and make universities efficient; combined with the ongoing effort by the ministry of finance, through a single treasury account and confirmation of genuine university staff.

Nigerian public universities need to get rid of the cancer of inefficiency. When federal and state universities begin to focus on being competitive, and satisfying their customers: students, all other things will follow.