Professor Yakubu Ochefu, outgoing Secretary General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, has called on the Nigerian government to urgently address the persistent challenges facing the nation’s university system.
In a statement, Ochefu, a noted expert in educational policy, emphasized the need for clarity in the government’s vision for higher education.
A key issue highlighted by Ochefu is the protracted conflict between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the government, which has resulted in repeated strikes and disruptions. He expressed concern over the negative impact this ongoing dispute has had on the quality of education in Nigeria.
Ochefu also stressed the importance of shifting Nigeria’s educational strategy, stating, “We have built capacity, sometimes in excess. With 2.6 million students currently enrolled in Nigerian universities and up to 1.8 million people taking entrance exams annually, we are still using management strategies from the 1980s. This approach is outdated and ineffective.”
Using personal experience to illustrate, he noted that while his own lectures were delivered to 30 students, today’s lecturers must manage classes of up to 300 using the same outdated methods. He emphasized that the government’s educational framework and funding mechanisms, rooted in agreements from the 1990s, are long overdue for reform.
He urged the government to reconsider its approach, especially with 63 federal universities now operating alongside a growing number of state institutions. Without rethinking its philosophy, Ochefu warned, the government will continue to struggle with ASUU and other university unions.
He concluded by advocating for constructive dialogue between the parties involved, emphasizing that only a clear vision and modernized approach will resolve these longstanding issues.
