Opinion

University Education in Nigeria and the dying system

Published

4 years ago

July 14, 2020

Nuraddeen Danjuma, PhD

Introduction

Despite ASUU’s struggle and the popular saying that Education is a key to success according to Nelson Mandela and University education in Nigeria is in its trying moment, no doubt about that.

If you see injustice and say nothing, you have taken the side of the oppressor – Desmund Tutu, South Africa Anglican Archbishop.

In Isiah 1:17, it is said “learn to do good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless; defend the orphan and plead for the widow”.

As a concerned academic and a believer of faith, one only medium I have to express my humble opinion on the attempted murder of public universities is my pen.

This very piece is a wakeup call to leaders of Nigeria and all stakeholders to prevent the total collapse of Nigerian Universities as knowledge is the pillar of sustainable development and a passport to better days.

For tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today and only adequate planning and investment in education can yield positive change and promising tomorrow. Nelson Mandela said “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

In September 2015, 193 member states of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all. This was to fashion out a path to end extreme poverty, fight inequality, and injustice in a sustainable manner.

The heart of the plan was setting up Agenda 2030 which has 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of those, quality education is no.

This was in order to attain inclusive and quality education which is one most powerful vehicle for sustainable development. Nigeria is a party to these commitments and has been working hard to ensure she achieves its mandates.

FUD ranked No.1 University in Nigeria,21st in Africa – Scimago, Spain.

In pursuance of that, President Buhari has exemplified his commitment to quality education just like his predecessors. In his recent presentation during a virtual Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, June 17th, 2020, said

”I seize this opportunity to reiterate the need for this summit to put humanity at the center of our vision for common prosperity.

New Emirates:so-called Kano elders tried to frustrate the process- Ganduje

”We must learn lessons and share knowledge from research, as we develop more creative, responsive and humane health systems, improve crisis management protocols and support each other in the battle against COVID-19’’ (Thisday newspaper, 18th June, 2020). I salute his resolute and desire for knowledge and good Nigeria. However, in Hausa we say “akwai sauran rina a kaba” …. (We are not out of the woods yet). The secret to quality education lies in the words of Fela Kuti who said “if it is not fit to live in, then our job is to make it fit”.

University Education in Nigeria

In Nigeria as in other parts of the World, universities remain centers of teaching and research as well as hubs of knowledge, development, and social change. They also are machines for the hatching of highly skilled manpower for sustainable growth. In Nigeria, a move to start university education began with the commissioning of the Ashby Commission in 1959 with a view to conducting an investigation into Nigeria’s needs in tertiary education.

The commission recommended the establishment of ‘autonomous and independent’ universities in Lagos (the capital city then) and one each the north, east, and west of the country.

In pursuance to that, the University of Ibadan, (then University College, London) was founded in 1948 (and became a full-fledged independent university in early 1963), the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1960 and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1962.

Between then and 2019, the number of universities grew to 162 and evidently not in tandem with the resources allocated to finance these institutions.

Hence most of these institutions are in a dilapidated state. What has the government done in terms of quality control commensurate to the growing number of universities in the country?. Virtually nothing, the following excerpt provides an overview more Nigerian leaving the country to USA, Europe, Asia or even Africa for quality education.

According to data from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS), the number of Nigerian students abroad increased by 164 percent between 2005 and 2015 from 26,997 to 71,351.

The report also indicated that Nigerian students are currently the 14th largest group among foreign students in the United States, and contributed an estimated USD $324 million to the country’s economy in 2015/16.

Malaysia, as per UIS, has about 4,943 Nigerians in 2015 in various fields of study, making the country the fourth most popular destination country of Nigerians. Saudi Arabia is increasingly attracting Nigerian students. In 2015 the country hosted 1,915 students from Nigeria.

According to World Education News (2017), most of Nigeria’s public universities are in a deteriorating condition. The country’s institutions and lecture halls were reportedly severely overcrowded which is often why Nigerian Universities are in a state of decay.

Nigeria had one of the worst lecturer-to-student ratios in the world. The University of Abuja and Lagos State University, for example, reportedly had lecturer to student ratios as high as 1:122 and 1:114 respectively.

(International Organization for Migration, 2014). The most obvious reason for this deficit and low carrying capacity of Nigerian Universities is inadequate funding and lack of adequate planning.

Isaac Adebayo Adeyemi, Professor, Nigerian Academy of Science contended that “it is clear that the national budget of 6% to 7% to the education sector (lower than most other African countries which range between 11% and 30%) can’t do justice to the needs of these institutions.”

If Nigeria is going to out-grow its mates, the country needs to fund its education sector adequately and with the interest of national development at heart.

Thus, since 1978, the centrality of quality education in ASUU’s impasse with FG is crystal clear but yet to be recognized for selfish reasons. Specifically, ASUU is struggling for:

University Autonomy

Universities have always needed patrons and at various times the church, dukes, merchants, or philanthropists among others funded universities and have expected suitable behavior in response—correct doctrine, political policies, laissez-faire values, or charitable support (Anderson and Johnson, 1998).

In recent years, signs are governments are interfering in university affairs thereby affecting the effective system in totality. The IPPIS is a concrete case in Nigeria of infringing in the university’s autonomy.

Universities’ autonomy has four main dimensions: academic, organizational, financial, and staff. Thus, ASUU needs to thread with caution, respect limits, and learn from colleagues in other countries. A classical example might help ASUU NEC during negotiation.

In the United Kingdom, the government has no power to intervene in standards (except for teacher education) but the national committee of inquiry into higher education has recommended that it be a condition of public funding of universities that they adhere to an approved code of practice of quality assurance in this area (Richardson, & Fielden, 1997- Measuring the Grip of the State: the relationship between governments and universities in selected Commonwealth countries).

Double Standards in Payment

Sincerely there is a double standard in the mode of payment of salaries in Nigeria and this is tribalism. Religiously, tribalism is frowned at and prohibited.

Prophet Muhammad said “laisa minna man da’a ala asabiyyatin, wa laisa minna man qatala ala asabiyyatin, wa laisa minna man mata ala asabiyyatin” (he is not with us the one who sued for tribalism, he is not with us the one who fight for tribalism, he is not with the who died for tribalism).

The policy of allowing some agency to collate funds, chop what they want to, and remit the rest is tribalism. By the way, the bible in Proverbs 11:4 says “riches do not profit in the day of the wrath, but righteousness delivers from death”.

The idea of forcing some workers into IPPIS and implementing GIFMIS to pay the ‘el Ninos’ (children of God) is tribalism. In my opinion, it is a double standard.

Can the OAGF explain otherwise?. Sincerely is this not acceptable in a democracy. How much are you paying us after all comparatively that you can’t sleep peacefully?.

The Hausa people say “wanda yaje farauta ya kashe bera zaiyi tsammanin yayi kokari, sai yaga wanda ya kashe giwa ya gano baiyi komi ba” (literally, a hunter who killed rat only boast his/her courage before seeing another who kills an elephant).

Find out about the university salaries of other countries and see how much academics are paid without selfishness. However, ASUU should clean its house and remove the skeletons in its cupboards (we are not infallible after all). The bad eggs that receive salaries and dodge work should be corrected. Those breaching NUC rules of visiting in more than two universities should be stopped. “Dan kuka ya daina janyo wa babarsa jifa” a Hausa adage (English: ours must stop attracting us blames and allegations).

Decayed Infrastructure in Public Universities

Infrastructure; the physical components of interrelated systems providing commodities and services essential to enable, sustain, or enhance societal living conditions is critical to university progress. Hence infrastructure should be taken seriously. In the university, infrastructure includes classrooms, office accommodations, laboratories, roads, electricity and water, health facilities, among others. The decay of infrastructure is horrible and not to talk about in most Nigerian universities. It one major factor that contributed to slow development in universities. ASUU is struggling for better infrastructure in Nigeria universities for their critical role in the growth and development of learning especially education, science, and technology.

Commercialization of Public Universities

The introduction of tuition at this is time is worrisome because it’ll affect students’ participation in higher education. It can affect the lower socio-economic groups by increasing the number of school leavers in such families. Research have shown that a significantly higher proportion of young people from the lowest socioeconomic groups have traditionally entered higher education in Scotland than in England and Wales (Forsyth and Furlong, 2000 – socioeconomic disadvantage and access to higher education). Henceforth, on this matter, ASUU should thread with caution and allow the public to do the struggle.

What ASUU SHOULD DO?

As a matter of fact, ASUU should do the following to maintain relevance.

Re-position its modus operandi

Our modus operandi is 42 years old. It is about descending, thus there is the need to check its blood pressure, sugar level, eyesight, and others.

Check In-house

Like any other system, ASUU members have their grievances. This is clear and demonstrated by many colleagues and especially the breakaway group named Congress of University Academics (CONUA). ASUU should mend fences with all breakaway groups. And all breakaway groups should sheath swords and reconcile with the great union that is greater than any member, no matter how ‘big’. ASUU should check sharp practices (known and alleged) among members, revert to old days of modest life, and put forward the welfare of members above anything. It’s time we framed every question – every issue – not in terms of what’s in it for me but what’s in it for all of us (Senator John Kerry).

Conduct Needs Assessment before entering any Negotiation

“When we think we know people inside out and we think we know what’s best for them we should try to remember we don’t even know what’s best for ourselves” – Hayley Williams.

Nigeria Universities and Potential Peg-leg Scholarship

In my opinion, Nigerian Universities are gradually becoming homes of peg-leg scholarship due to the following reasons:

Brain drain

Sincerely, a lot of lecturers are going voluntarily or otherwise. Most of them are trained ones. So how many will remain to sustain scholarship?. FG- Is this the legacy you want to leave?.

Collapse of mentoring

Connected to brain drain, is mentoring which I feel is on its ‘dying bed’. Now that many senior colleagues are exiting as a result of ‘no contract, sabbatical, or visiting as well as death’ who will mentor who?. The Hausa say “yaro baya goya yaro sai dai ya rungumeshi su fadi” (a child does not support a child but embraces him/her to fall).

Increasing chances of a faceoff between unions and universities management

The potential faceoff between universities management and unions over issues relating to allowances – responsibility, hazard, over time, call, etc scrapped by IPPIS is inevitable. The only question is why should the salaries and wages laws favor some and kill some?. How much do the laws give political office holders for ‘sitting quietly in well-furnished accommodation or just passing bills?’

Conclusion

In conclusion, both ASUU and FG should look beyond sentiments and know that above any other thing in Nigeria. Howard Baker said “the most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip emotion and deal with the facts. And there was a considerable challenge to that here and understandably so. The negotiations must address all aspects, both peace, and withdrawals (Yitzhak Rabin). Therefore we don’t need EEA – oyya go back to classes. We expect a better package like that of NNPC, CBN, NIRSAL, DMO, FIRS, NDIC, NPA, DPR, NCC, PENCOM, and many others that are not so-called ‘revenue-generating agencies’. At least we too work for the temple, so we deserve to eat ‘nutritiously’ from the temple. According to Martin Luther King Jr. “The time is always right to do something right”.

Nuraddeen Danjuma, Ph.D. wrote from Bayero University Bayero University Kano

Related Topics:Collapse Dying Education University

Up Next

Why EFCC’s chiefs are always booted out of office?

Don't Miss

The Fallacy of WAEC cancellation in Nigeria.

Click to comment

Opinion

Why They Are Afraid Of Ganduje

Published

5 days ago

April 23, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By Abubakar Umar

While preparing to pen this write up I just scrolled the news and read that the Kano High court that ordered the suspension of the APC National chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje have vacated the order pending the determination of the suit on 30th April.

From the look of things and with his glowing political clout since he joined politics in the second Republic Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje the former Governor of Kano state is giving sleepless nights to many politicians particularly from his home state of Kano where the melting pot of Nigerian politics emanated from.

No vex his emergence as the National chairman of Nigerias ruling party has brought down the evil machinations of some politicians who sees Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as a stumbling block to their political ambition at the national stage .

The administrator cum politician as many people will attest to knew very well that interms of experience and political calculations he has no match especially from the North West political zone where the National chairman hails from .

They know very well that the national working committee of the party and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu have done the right calculation by placing an elder politician and a two term Governor of the most difficult state to Govern in the whole Nigeria as the chairman of the Nigerian ruling party.

They knew very well that his stature has made him one of the most visible and hardworking APC National chairman since its formation in the year 2013.

The conscripted script being played by agents of destabilzation in order to make the ruling party irrelevant can only be done if they try to use some political zealots with the aim of making the National Chairman look like someone who can not sail through their evil conspiracy .

It was understood that the only way the NNPP Governent in Kano will change it’s political nest is to cut down the tree that is supposed to give it a shade but instead of humbling themselves and submit themselves to the party’s National Secretariat in which Dr. Ganduje is the leader they starte beating about the bush like a child’s play.

Dr.Ganduje had since humbled them politically and by visiting the state on January 25 ,2024 to invite them to the ruling party without vengeance .

He extended the hand of friendship that politics is is the ability to make sacrifices and compromise .

It was that compromise and sacrifice that made some of his political foes make accomplishments they never dream to achieve but still they are not grateful with the his sacrifice and patience .

Today the courts have vindicated by Dr.Abdullahi Umar and the APC national stalwarts across the country who are comfortable with the leadership style of Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Opinion

Celebrating Emir Sulu -Gambari at 84

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari ,Emir Of Ilorin

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

Today the highly revered Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu -Gambari CFR marks 84 years birthday.The former Jurist ascended the throne of his forefathers on Monday and he was also born on Monday. What a coincidence!

Being alive up to the age of 84 is a rare opportunity for anyone who really appreciate the homongous favour of the Almighty.The Chancellor of Bayero University Kano is an example of an Emir with a digital disposition and inclination.He believes so much in the progress of individuals and the entire Ilorin Emirate.

Dwelling so much about his career as a retired Justice of Court of Appeal may not be necessary as many are aware of it.The Emir stands out as a man who had made Ilorin as a City to move away from the old ways of doing things even in terms of education. He has encouraged scholarship in all ramifications. Be it in Islamic perspective and western education. Emir Sulu Gambari is the first University graduate to have ascended the throne in more two centuries of Ilorin Emirate history .

Before his ascension to the throne of his progenitors, Ilorin had a handful of professors but today they’re as many as possible.He has achieved a lot but you know traditionally such may not be made public.

Mai Martaba has provided purposeful and impactful leadership, this can be captured in the words of Abubakar Imam, the National Secretary of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union IEDPU thus:

“The Emir has always taken care of the welfare and wellbeing of the ordinary people of his Emirate in words and actions. For instance, he initiated a Fund through which money was raised to address the immediate needs of the downtrodden people and residents of the community. The Fund was chaired by the Danmansani of Ilorin, Engr Sulaiman Ayinde Yahaya Alapansanpa, FNSE, while the immediate past National President of IEDPU, Alhaji Aliyu Otta Uthman, fsi, was the Alternate Chairman. Over 15,000 individuals from all the nooks and crannies of Ilorin Emirate benefited from the Fund during the course of the perilous COVID-19 epidemic, which rocked the humanity about five years ago. It will also be recalled that the Emir purchased 400 bundles of corrugated iron sheet, which was distributed to the less privileged members of the community who were affected by a devastating rainstorm in 2021. The then IEDPU President was given the task of getting the item delivered at the footsteps of the victims of the natural disaster”

Before the coming of Emir of Ilorin, University of Ilorin was not a place an Ilorin indigene can gain admission into easily.In fact, only few had opportunity to school there at that time.But Emir Sulu -Gambari and other stakeholders ensured that an indigenous Vice Chancellor was giving opportunity to lead the Ivory tower for the first time,in person of Professor Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, the Talba of Ilorin Emirate .May Allah continue to grant Professor good health and plenty baraka. Professor Oba cannot even mention all those he has assisted, because the numbers are huge.

Today, there is fairness in the issue of admission into university of Ilorin.The standard was established by the administration of Professor Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem and has been sustained by his successors.

Eminent sons and daughters of Ilorin Emirate are already sending their warmest messages to the Emir.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has rejoiced with the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara state traditional rulers Council

The Emir, according to the Governor, “has remained a father to all while also deploying his rich experiences and networks to support not just the people of the Ilorin Emirate but also the people of the state as a whole.

The Governor prays to Allaah to give His Royal Highness good health and long life, and continue to uphold him upon goodness in his service to the people of the Emirate”

The Turaki of Ilorin Emirate and Senator representing Kwara Central senatorial district, Senator Saliu Mustapha has also congratulated the His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, on the occasion of his 84th birthday anniversary

Senator Mustapha described the revered Emir who is a retired eminent jurist as “an ambassador of peace with an admirable style of leadership”

He affirmed that since the respected monarch’s ascension to the throne of his forefathers in 1995 as the 11th Emir of Ilorin, he has brought a lot of development and glamour to the entire State.

While extolling the emir’s humility and modernized vision for his domain and the country at large, Senator Mustapha prays God Almighty to grant the royal father more years of worthy service to his people and humanity in good health.

Furthermore,Honourable Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency also greeted the Emir “His Royal Highness has exemplified wisdom, compassion, and integrity throughout his reign, serving as a beacon of hope for the people of Ilorin and beyond. His visionary leadership has brought about tremendous growth and development, with a keen focus on fostering unity and inclusivity amongst his subjects. His unwavering dedication to our collective well-being is a testament to his selflessness and genuine concern for his people”

Under his guidance, Ilorin has witnessed a remarkable transformation, with strides made in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and socio-economic development. His Royal Highness’s commitment to fostering a harmonious and prosperous society has played a pivotal role in shaping the Ilorin of today – a thriving community that takes pride in its rich cultural heritage while embracing the promise of a brighter future”

Similarly, A former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulwahab Oladimeji Issa has felicitated the Emir of Ilorin.He extolled the Emir thus,”his uncommon leadership qualities” and prayed that God grants him many more years of service to the people of Ilorin emirate and Nigeria.

“As you mark your 84th birthday anniversary which comes up today Monday, April 22nd, 2024, I write, on behalf of my family to extend warm felicitations to Your Highness.

“Only recently, you marked twenty-eight years of unquantified success on the throne as the Emir of Ilorin. Your uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of the Ilorin emirate and beyond, have combined to make you one of the most highly respected monarchs in Nigeria today.

“As you continue to use your exalted throne to build bridges of friendship and harmony across Kwara state and the nation, it is my prayer that Almighty Allah grants you many more years of abounding health, prosperity, and enduring fulfillment,” he added.

Hajiya Arinola Lawal also felicitates Emir of Ilorin on 84th birthday anniversary,
“I extend my warmest wishes and heartfelt prayers to His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Emir of Ilorin, on the occasion of his birthday

I beseech Allah to grant His Royal Highness a long and prosperous reign on the throne of his fathers, filled with peace, stability, and blessings for the Ilorin Emirate”

Meanwhile, LT Col Ramat Suleiman also joined the league of prominent Ilorin Emirate sons and daughters to celebrate the Emir Sulu -Gambari at 84.She described the Emir as a father to all and a lover of peace.The first Ilorin Emirate woman to have attained the rank of LT Col in the military extolled the Emir as a leader with great vision and prayed to Allah to grant him good health and more years ahead on the throne of his forefathers.

Professor Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem,Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Honourable Moshood Mustapha,Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Hajiya Tundun Alanamu, Barrister Oba Magaji and others have also greeted the Emir at 84.

By way of conclusion,without mincing words Ilorin Emirate has witnessed tremendous transformation under the leadership of Emir Sulu -Gambari in all facets of the Emirate since his ascension in 1995.I wish the Emir a prosperous, healthy and pious 84th birthday anniversary and more years ahead Insha Allah.

Sheeeehuuuu.Walahu ya’simuka minna nas

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

Opinion

For Adamu A Zango:Simple Solution To Your Compounded Problems

Published

1 week ago

April 21, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Adam A Zango

Tijjani Muhammad Musa

I usually don’t like writing on celebrities except if the issue borders on religious matters. Even so, it’s not any trivial matter that makes my ink flow. For me, talking to stars is like calling on someone who has taken a turn.

But once in a while, I do make an exception when it comes to situations that need prompt intervention towards saving a soul that’s heading to the edge of the abyss. I have succeeded on one or two cases though. AlhamdulilLaah

And lately, with so much misfortunes befalling guys in the Arewa entertainment industry, most especially Kannywood, one can’t help but smell the unpleasant stench in the air, and thus whiff the hand to ward it off.

This brings us to the latest trending issue of Adamu A Zango’s depression crisis. Those concerned about him have been raising alarm on social media of an impending doom that could likely befall him if he is not counselled on time.

Well, it’s that serious. Many say he needs help urgently and beg those who can to approach him and save actor cum musical icon from himself. Those close to him should as a matter of urgency do. For us from afar, we can only submit thus:

The perfect solution to Adamu A. Zango’s problem and dilemma much as some wouldn’t want to hear it can be found in the Holy Qur’an Surah Al-Anbiya (21) verses 83-84 where Allaah SWT Says:

83. And (remember) Ayyûb (Job), when he cried to his Lord: “Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.”

84. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all those who worship us.

Again relate to the same Surah Q21:87-88 which brings forth how Yunus AS was able to free himself from utter hopelessness into Allaah’s Grace and Mercy. Note the Promise of Allaah SWT to grant others who worship Him similar grace if they should repeat same du’a.

So Adamu, first you must prepare your mind by connecting to your Lord, sincerely seeking His Graceful intervention in your matters. How? Sincere repentance is key and subsequently seek for forgiveness for all your bad deeds.

Next abstain from all acts of disobedience to Allaah. Thereafter, perform 2 raka’at of Salah, after which you should engage in DhikrAllaah, reciting the du’a of Ayub AS in Q21:83 and Yunus AS in Q21:87

Finally, form the habit of reciting the Qur’an and listening to it on a regular basis. Always perform your 5 daily obligatory prayers in congregation and keep off anybody or anything that will constitute a distraction to your focus on your developing a close relationship with your Lord Allaah AWJ.

If you can take these few simple, but highly challenging steps and implement them in your life, it is a guarantee that you will be free from all these stresses and distresses to a life of unprecedented peace bi iznilLaah..

But as a Kannywood and Hausa music celebrity, this solution though simple as it may seem might be the most difficult thing for you to adopt. And I believe you know why. And that sadly is where the problem truly lies.

Unless one is ready to embrace a change of lifestyle from his or her norm to Allaah’s laid out norms, things in life will keep challenging their peace and tranquility of the person.

Hope this helps .

Tijjani Muhammad Musa is the chairman Association of Nigerian Authors Kano branch