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Special Report : “More Universities, Less Funding: The Paradox of Nigeria’s Higher Education”

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6 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The long-standing rivalry between the Federal Government of Nigeria(FGN) and the Academic Staff Union Of Universities(ASUU) has caused a lot harm than good. And for the fact that the essence of the feud borders on a call for good renumerations for the serving lecturers is what so many people find disturbing. Don’t they deserve a good pay? Are they demanding too much? Or, are there no resources to meet those demands?

Questions like the ones posed above have made people react differently to the prevailing fight between the duo. But the one thing worrisome about the whole saga is the students being at the receiving end.

For over a decade, there have been strike actions by the union, expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which the federal government of Nigeria handles welfarism of its members. The strike, which always comes and goes intermittently, has caused a lot of setbacks and disruption in the academic journey of many Nigerians schooling in the public universities.

Barring a last minute intervention, a fresh strike action by the union will be enforced before the year runs out. And as usual, students would be forced to go back home. Panels and committees had been inaugurated severally to discuss and arrive at an agreeable term between the two parties, but all to no avail. What must be done to settle this unending phenomenon once and for all?

On the other hand is the issue of mass proliferation of universities and federal polytechnics by the federal government of Nigeria. The current higher institutions of learning are barely being managed as they should be grossly underfunded. And the government is giving approval for the creation of other dozens of them. It could be said that it is a systemic move by the government, and the execution is being done geographically.

A detailed account of this development right from the administration of former president Jonathan, down to this very present government, will make it crystal clear that the government is indecisive in handling educational policies of this country.

Jonathan came into power and initiated the “one-state-one-federal-university” policy which gave rise to the creation of more universities during his tenure. Same way, the late president Buhari took over power in 2015 and approved the conversion of many existing agricultural colleges and institutions into full-fledged universities of agriculture and technology. Now, right from 2023 to date, the Tinubu’s administration has taken the same route as the previous two with the approval of nine new institutions in the first three months of this year.

However, in a sudden reversal, the Federal Government in August 2025 imposed a seven-year suspension on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This came after the National Universities Commission (NUC) had earlier, in February 2025, declared a one-year moratorium on new private university applications. According to Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, the suspension was a “reset button” to halt the unchecked proliferation that was leading to a decline in quality. He explained that many federal institutions are underutilized—one with 1,200 staff has fewer than 800 students—while resources are overstretched and duplication has become rampant.

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The policy, however, did not stop the approval of nine private universities during the same Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in August. These were not new submissions but long-pending applications that had already passed evaluation before the moratorium took effect. Alongside this, the NUC is reviewing its guidelines for establishing private universities and intensifying its clampdown on illegal institutions.

On The Proliferation of Higher Institutions

Again, Dr. Auwalu Muttaqa expressed great dissatisfaction with the development, attributing the trend to one of the reasons behind their setbacks in the education sector of Nigeria:

“On the other hand is the growing concern amidst the creation of several universities and polytechnics in addition to the ones existing which are not being properly funded.”

“The lecturers are demanding for a descent welfarism which has not been met, instead the government finds it satisfying to create more of institutions which indirectly means more academics. Who does that? Does that even make sense?”

He also linked the proliferation to political interests:

“By the time each of those house of representatives or senators demands that a university or polytechnic should be created in their constituencies, everywhere would be flooded with dilapidated higher institutions because none of them cares for the proper funding of these institutions. And they do all that because of votes. They need something to campaign with.”

According to him, even the new moratorium by the government is a reactionary measure, not a well-thought-out policy shift:

“Let us tell ourselves the truth, there’s a serious brain drain issue in the education sector of this country, and nobody is willing to talk about proffering solutions to it now until it escalates to a point that will be uncontrollable. The suspension is good on paper, but without addressing funding and staffing, it changes nothing.”

In a stark contrast, Shola Sherif, a medical student, opined that the country is currently not capacitated to accommodate students applying into various undergraduate programs, hence the reason why assenting to more creation of higher institutions of learning isn’t a bad thing:

“There are over 1.5 million prospective candidates of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board(JAMB) every year, and the federal, state and private universities combined can only offer admission to about 500,000 to 700,000 of these candidates. So, it’s, to me, the most sensible thing to do creating more higher institutions.”

In response, his colleague, Mubarak asked:

“They should keep on establishing more institutions while the existing ones are not being properly funded?”

And Shola replied:

“We seriously need to manage. Would you rather have those millions of brilliant minds waste at home because you need proper funding?”

The proliferation of universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria is a deliberate and accelerated policy trend that has been most prominent since 2000s, with a significant surge between 2010 and 2023 as discussed in the first part of this piece. According to some, as disclosed by Shola Sherif, the strategy is primarily driven by the need to address the critical and growing imbalance: the massive demand for university education versus the severely limited supply of admission space.

While on the other hand are those advocating for proper funding of these institutions or the newly established institutions should be scrapped; citing the shortage of academic staff in the country due to brain drain which will definitely make the new institutions created not only deficient in funding but also in academic manpower.

Also, others see the incessant strike actions by the Academic Staff Union Of Universities(ASUU) as a selfish attitude, urging them to resign if their demands are not being met. The issue, in all honesty, should be resolved amicably in the sense that both parties will be happy at the end.

At the heart of it all, however, lies the bone of contention: proper funding of universities and enhanced welfare and remuneration for academic staff. The underfunding of the higher institutions of learning is realistic, it’s not a hearsay. And the funding capacity by the government is never a big deal—what is lacking is the political will to prioritize education.

So the questions are:

Is the government willing to fund the various higher institutions of learning, and create enabling environments for the attainment of human capital development by the academics?

Should the academic staff who found the treatment from the government unsatisfying tender their resignation letter instead of embarking on strike every now and then?

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Tinubu Orders Relocation of Service Chiefs to Maiduguri Following Deadly Borno Attacks

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1 hour ago

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March 17, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a decisive response to Monday’s multiple bombings in Borno State, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the nation’s Service Chiefs to immediately relocate to Maiduguri to take direct control of security operations in the region.

The directive comes after coordinated attacks, suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram terrorists around 7:25 pm, which resulted in the deaths of over 20 people and left more than 100 others injured.

President Tinubu issued the order while reacting to the tragic incidents shortly before his departure for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom. In a statement, he vowed that the Federal Government would not be cowed by terror.

“The recent news from Maiduguri, Borno State, is profoundly upsetting. I mourn those who lost their lives, sympathise with the injured, and stand in solidarity with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” the President said.

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Describing the attacks as the “final desperate and frantic attempts” of criminals facing relentless pressure from the military, Tinubu reassured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to security.

“I want to make it categorically clear that these acts of terror are being carried out by elements trying to instil fear, as they are under constant pressure from our brave armed forces operating in various theatres. We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be,” he stated.

The President commended the troops for repelling the assaults on military positions, praising their “courage and fighting spirit.” He reiterated that the terrorists would be defeated, noting that recent approvals for additional equipment and operational support following a security meeting last weekend were already being implemented.

“Our gallant military and civilian task forces will curtail and put them down,” Tinubu affirmed. “Just last weekend, during a security meeting with leaders of security and intelligence agencies, I approved additional equipment and operational support to enhance their capabilities. This effort is already in progress.”

Beyond the military directive, the President instructed emergency management agencies to ensure that the injured receive proper medical care. He concluded with a firm warning to the perpetrators.

“There is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety. We will locate them, confront them, and completely defeat them. Nigeria will not succumb to fear.”

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Soludo Sworn in for Second Term as Anambra Governor

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1 hour ago

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March 17, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, were officially sworn in for a second term in office on Tuesday. The inauguration ceremony took place at the newly renovated Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.

The oath of office and the oath of allegiance were administered by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, at approximately 11:05 a.m. The governor and his deputy were accompanied by their wives and other family members during the ceremony.

The event was attended by a host of high-profile dignitaries. Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, were present to witness the inauguration. Other notable personalities expected at the event included elder statesmen such as former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku.

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The newly refurbished Alex Ekwueme Square served as the venue for the ceremony, drawing a large crowd that included traditional rulers from all 179 communities in Anambra State, as well as monarchs from other parts of Nigeria.

Governor Soludo, who secured his re-election on November 8, 2025, under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), saw a strong turnout from party supporters. APGA members from all 326 political wards across the state mobilized to attend the event.

In light of the gathering, security was heavily reinforced across the state. Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other security agencies were deployed to strategic locations to ensure order.

The governor and his deputy marked the conclusion of their first term on Sunday with an interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the International Convention Centre.

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ICPC To Transfer El-Rufai To Kaduna For Fresh Corruption Trial, Report Says

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3 hours ago

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March 17, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is set to be transferred to Kaduna to face a new corruption trial, authoritative security sources have exclusively disclosed to SaharaReporters.

The former governor, who remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), will be moved from Abuja to Kaduna for the impending proceedings, a senior security official confirmed on Tuesday.

“El-Rufai is to be transferred to Kaduna for a fresh corruption trial,” the source revealed .

Specific details regarding the charges or the timeline for the trial remain unclear at this stage.

The interim development follows a comprehensive legislative investigation by the Kaduna State House of Assembly into El-Rufai’s administration, which spanned from 2015 to 2023. The Assembly reaffirmed its findings in early 2026, stating it had uncovered serious irregularities in the handling of state finances, leading to the former governor’s indictment for financial mismanagement and misappropriation of funds .

Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman confirmed that the Assembly had “concluded its legislative probe… and forwarded its findings to appropriate authorities in line with constitutional provisions” .

The probe had previously sparked protests from civil society groups at the Assembly complex, demanding accountability and transparency. Demonstrators voiced concerns over alleged corruption and human rights violations during El-Rufai’s tenure.

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Further intensifying the scrutiny, Governor Uba Sani, El-Rufai’s successor, has repeatedly raised serious allegations, claiming that ₦423 billion could not be accounted for during the former administration. Sani has also maintained that El-Rufai left Kaduna State with unsustainable debts, significantly complicating governance. Former officials under El-Rufai have dismissed these accusations as a “politically motivated smear campaign”.

Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters detailed how El-Rufai had accused ICPC officials of attempting to coerce him into abandoning politics as a condition for his release. The allegation is contained in a 30-page criminal complaint that directly names ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu and four other officials.

According to the court documents, the former governor claimed that operatives of the anti-corruption agency told him bluntly that his freedom depended on his willingness to quit political activities.

The claim, detailed in Paragraph 12 of the filing, states that while in detention, ICPC officers, allegedly acting on the authority of the commission’s leadership, made it clear that disengaging from politics was the price for his release .

Further revelations in the supporting affidavit, particularly in Paragraphs 22 to 24, allege that El-Rufai was repeatedly warned that persisting in political involvement would keep him behind bars, while a commitment to withdraw would secure his freedom.

The allegation now forms the crux of Count Six in the suit, where the embattled politician accuses the officials of wrongful confinement with intent to compel, an offence punishable under Sections 264 and 267 of the Penal Code. El-Rufai is urging the court to probe what he describes as a brazen abuse of power and a calculated attempt to strip him of his constitutional right to participate in Nigeria’s political process.

The Federal High Court in Abuja last week adjourned El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC until March 25, 2026. He is seeking ₦1 billion in damages and has also asked the court to declare the search of his Abuja residence unlawful, restrain authorities from using seized evidence, and order the immediate return of all items taken.

The Nigeria Police Force, however, has urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the search was conducted under a valid warrant and in line with statutory powers. In a counter-affidavit, the Inspector General of Police defended the operation, accusing El-Rufai of attempting to use the suit as a shield to frustrate investigation and possible prosecution.

The police chief maintained that the force has statutory powers to detect, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenders, adding that the search was conducted in line with a warrant issued by a competent court. The IGP also rejected El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant used for the search was invalid, insisting that it was lawfully issued and properly executed by officers.

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