University Education in Nigeria: History, Successes, Failures and the Way Forward

International Journal of Technology and Inclusive Education (IJTIE) , Volume 1, Issue 2, December 2012

Jake Otonko Department of Religious Studies Nassarawa State University Kefi, Nigeria

Abstract human capital. It can be viewed as a high level or a specialized form of human capital, contribution of Various societies of the world have evolved which is very significant to economic growth in any various forms of education over time. Formal society [2]. This is why Castel rightly refers to it as - education has been accepted over time as being the engine of development in the new world capable of enhancing unprecedented growth in economy [3]. Nevertheless, it is by adequate societies. Considering the importance of education to university education that people get to know their the integral development of various nations, huge basic rights and seek to get them enforced. This is resources have always been channeled to boost the because part of the reasons for the smooth ride of the educational sector by various nations. In Nigeria, for unscrupulous ruling elite - lies in the fact that they instance, the educational sector is considered as one have constantly worked on the emotions of an of the most essential sectors of the yearly budgetary ignorant population [4]. Lack of adequate education schedule. Looking at the various levels of education, limits the horizons of the masses and therefore it is true to state that the university education is most restricts the capacity of the oppressed to extract their suited towards providing the socio-economic rights from state. development that Nigeria yearns for. This is because However, in spite of the pertinence of university it has been discovered that it is the development of education to any nation, Nigeria has been bedeviled the human person that invariably trickles to the by many woes in her university education sector, development of other sectors of the socio-economic such that anyone who has the good of the country at system. An efficient university educational system heart would agree that the sector need a divine touch. could be considered as one of the best assets a This write-up, will therefore have as its kernel, to nation can have. And against this backdrop, one consider the situation of the Nigerian university could rightly assert that a dysfunctional university education – the history, relevance, successes and system would surely make for a malfunctional failures as well as areas that need to be touched and country. This is why this paper has as its thrust to x- how this should be done in order to salvage the ray the university education in Nigeria, bringing to university education in Nigeria. bare its history, evolution, successes and weaknesses. The paper challenges that even though 2. Historical Development of University the nation’s university education has achieved quite Education in Nigeria much, it is equally laden with weaknesses. If the future of university education in Nigeria is to be The history of university education in Nigeria is revamped, then the author has made functional traced to the Elliot Commission of 1943, which suggestions herein to make for the amelioration of culminated in the establishment of University the university education system in Nigeria. College Ibadan (UCI) in 1948. UCI was an affiliate of the University of London [5]. Ibukun also 1. Introduction contends that the UCI was saddled with a number of problems at inception ranging from rigid The prime of place education occupies in the constitutional provisions, poor staffing, and low developmental effort of nations has never been enrolment to high dropout rate [6]. doubted the world over. Perhaps this is why the In April 1959, the Federal Government renowned Professor Blaike remarked that - education commissioned an inquiry (the Ashby Commission) is the biggest industry that touches on every fabric of to advise it on the higher education needs of the our human endeavour [1]. Various nations, including country for its first two decades. Before the Nigeria, have been making conscientious efforts to submission of the report, the Eastern Region harness this important sector for optimal government established its own university at Nsukka development. Although much has been achieved in (University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1960). The this regard, much still needs to be done in order to implementation of the Ashby Report led to the confront effectively the ever-increasing challenges of establishment of University of Ife (now Obafemi our time. Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) in 1962 by the Western University education, which is our focal point in region, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1962 by this essay, is an important form of investment in the Northern Region and University of Lagos (1962)

by the Federal Government. Babalola et al posited application of knowledge. Finally, healthy university that the University College, Ibadan became a full- education helps in the formation of a strong nation- fledged university in 1962 [7]. This meant that UCI, state and at the same time aids globalization. It Ibadan and University of Lagos became the first two allows people to enjoy an enhanced life of mind‘, federal universities in Nigeria – the other three offering the wider society both cultural and political remained regional. In 1970, the newly created benefits [10]. Midwestern region opted for a university known as Inspite of such monumental benefits accruable University of Benin. The six universities established from a good university education, the Nigerian, during this period 1960-1970 are still referred to as infact African university system has been subjected first generation universities. Babalola et al remarked to and constrained by what one could described as that during this period, universities in Nigeria were several maladies. It is these that we shall consider under the close surveillance of the government. below. Appointments of lay members of the council, and that of the Vice-Chancellor, were politically 4. Benefits Derived so far from the motivated. Nigerian University Education System In the Third National Development Plan (1975 - 1980), the government established seven universities Even though the university system in Nigeria has instead of the four proposed in the plan, and also not had a very smooth sail from inception, it has took over the four regional universities in 1975. They witnessed many successes. The gains that Nigeria were Universities of Calabar, Ilorin, Jos, Sokoto, has derived from the university education become Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and Ado Bayero glaring when one considers the five national goals University, Kano - all known as second generation through which Nigeria‘s philosophy of education universities. The third generation universities were draws its strength, namely, to create a democratic established between 1980 and early 1990. They are: and free society, a just and egalitarian society, a the Federal Universities of Technology in Owerri, united, strong and self-reliant nation, a great and Makurdi, Yola, Akure and Bauchi. While state dynamic economy and a land full of bright universities were found in Imo, Ondo, Lagos, Akwa- opportunities for all citizens [11]. Ibom, Oyo and Cross-River states [8]. The fourth University education is more than the next level generation universities are those established between in the learning process; it is a critical component of 1991 and the present date. They include more state human development worldwide. It provides not only universities, Nigerian open universities and many the high-level skills necessary for every labor market private universities. but also the training essential for teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants, engineers, humanists, 3. Benefits Accruable from a Good entrepreneurs, scientists, social scientists, and a University Education myriad of other personnel. It is these trained individuals who develop the capacity and analytical The benefits derivable from a good and functional skills that drive local economies, support civil university education system can never be society, teach children, lead effective governments, overemphasized. The entire developmental apparatus and make important decisions which affect entire of the socio-economic structure revolves around a societies. This function of education can be seen good university education. The contribution of vividly in action in Nigeria. university education to development comes in varied Furthermore, the university education in Nigeria forms. Firstly, it helps in the rapid industrialization has led to the development of many Nigerians into of the economy. This it does by providing manpower sound and effective citizens. Here, university with adequate professional, technical and managerial education more than any other, has led to higher self- skills [9]. In another vein, a good university system awareness and self-realization of individuals at helps to boost the transformation of societies into various tasks, enhanced better human relationships, knowledge societies. This it does by providing not national consciousness and effective citizenship. just educated workers, but knowledge workers who One cannot doubt the fact that the university will contribute immensely to the growth of the education system has enhanced social, cultural, economy. economic, political, scientific and technological Furthermore, a worthwhile university education progress in Nigeria. The country is more blessed now helps to instill good attitudes and engenders with specialists at various fields of endeavour: attitudinal changes that are necessary for the medicine, law, engineering, philosophy, education, socialization of the individuals, thereby, leading to etc. And due to this development, the nation is the modernization and overall transformation of the becoming more and more dynamic and self-reliant as society. It is also clear that a functional university the days go by. This has been made possible because system helps, through teaching and concise research, of the university education. in the creation, absorption, dissemination and

In addition, university education has been on the fact that these students did not work hard to justify vanguard of creating opportunities for the teeming the chance of a life time is. Nigerian population. To build a united and Self-seeking visionless leaders created new egalitarian country entails that every Nigerian should universities but did not present viable strategies for contribute to the development or up-liftment of the absorbing the graduates. Unfortunately, the country [12]. The opportunity to do this in Nigeria universities were asked to turn out more graduates has been largely provided by the university without adequate plan to absorb the graduates in a education. Apart from serving their fatherland, the viable employment. It was also during this same university education has continually churned out period that many none graduates that could not scholars who have contributed meaningfully to the execute contracts were awarded contracts, talk about world‘s reservoir of knowledge. There is thus real marginalization. These contactors were able to growing evidence that university education, through make millions without performing the project or at its role in empowering domestic constituencies, best without completing the contracts and nobody building institutions, and nurturing favorable queried them. Graduates, students and lecturers regulatory frameworks and governance structures, is found that some of their eastern, northern, and vital to a country‘s efforts to increase social capital western friends, their parents and fellow lecturers and to promote social cohesion, which is proving to that had access to government became rich be an important determinant of economic growth and overnight. Hard work and excellence was no longer development. the yardstick by which success was measured but political connection. Connected students were richer 5. The Systematic Destruction of the than their lecturers and the unemployed graduates. Nigerian University System: Who is to Hence, prospective university students sort admission to university just to attach B.Sc. or M.Sc. Blame? to their names. Many also thought that they needed the degrees to legitimize the wealth they obtained History has it that in the 1960‘s, 70‘s and up to from easy money making with or without a credible the mid 80‘s the five premier universities, Ahmadu degree. Hence, some bought degrees from Bello university, Zaria; University of Ibadan, unscrupulous fake degree peddlers. University of Ife, University of Lagos, and Our take on this, however, is that history is University of Nsukka were centers of academic judging the prudence of government, students, excellence. There were few universities and many lecturers and parents for complicity in the fallen and students to be admitted and competition was very falling standards of university education in Nigeria fierce but healthy. Even then, many students with [13]. Let us peer into the level of complicity of the grade II found it difficult to gain admission because various groups. there were so many excellent students to pick from. Initially, military government had no use for the History would recall that the Udoji award was the universities except to the extent that their educational greatest economic instrument that unraveled Nigeria. policies agitated the students. Naturally, the students During the Gowon era, prices skyrocketed, and then had reasons to go against policies that were suicidal crude oil became the only way that Nigeria generated to their learning. Such student oppositions came her revenue. Many otherwise capable farmers, and during the popular "Ali must go" fiasco. Since the market men and women abandoned their lands, academic staff had once invited government to bought themselves suits, briefcases and headed for intervene in their internal affairs during Gowon‘s Lagos in search of easy money. Earlier in the government, it was not too surprising that the seventies, government created new states that also military government then ordered students to be demanded for and got their own universities. mowed down as in the case of recent Odi situation to Nigerian government influenced the admission teach a lesson. Agents were planted among lecturers standards by establishing the Joint Admission and to spy on students and university staff. Some of the Matriculation Board, JAMB, introducing Federal errand-boys were made political Vice Chancellors character, catchment areas, et cetera but without and their professorial positions were politically monitoring the standard. Prospective university influenced. International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave students that needed admission simply got letters out loans that the leaders further used to destroy the from the Head of State, a Governor, or a Minister in outstanding educational systems in Nigeria. This order to gain admission. There is nothing wrong with gave rise to a mass exodus of many brilliant lecturers helping another human being in need but when such that could not compete on political campus arenas help is provided, those who stretch their neck out to from the university campus. Some left to join the rat help must also make sure that such help does not go race in the business world and others left Nigeria. to waste. In and by itself, getting to the university at The political professors often silenced the lone all cost should not be the only reason for the voices of active and academic professors. Without destruction of a viable educational system but the bedeviling any of the military governments, the

blame for the state of university education falls creating an enabling academic environment through squarely on the academic staff and those that prioritization of funds and the creation of necessary betrayed the institutions and the establishment [14]. employment to justify the establishment of so many The lecturers had their own toll on the running universities. The lecturers must take responsibility down of the university education as well. Many for deciding to play financial politics instead of lecturers became rich by selling out to any proudly teaching the students. It must be government in power, selling notes to students that acknowledged that some may have been driven to wish to pass a course or selling out examination the brink by circumstances beyond their control but papers. In fact, many that aligned themselves with this does not excuse them. Students share part of the government of the day displayed wealth on campus responsibilities because they work so hard to and the scramble for political academic power began purchase degrees/certificates in cash or in kind in earnest. What did some of the heads of States gain without mastering what it takes to be worthy of the from this exercise? Some of them that could not even degree/certificates. Finally, our capable and able spell their names were given honorary degrees to add parents failed to monitor the progress of their to the repertoire of their many ill-earned titles. On a children against morally, socially, academically more serious note, Nigerian government encouraged acceptable standards. and members of the elite class participated to make If the Nigerian government is very serious in Nigeria a dumping ground for almost all substandard revamping the educational system, it is time to bring imported products by the new breed of businessmen home some of the country‘s professionals in the that made easy money. Unemployed graduates and Diaspora. They have fortunately acquired all of the university students were noting that it did not take a technologies that the country needs and can be genius to get contract and they learnt their lessons transferred back to Nigeria. If Nigeria did not well. Nigerian government preferred to give simple knowingly or conspiratorially destroy the educational projects to foreign firms in return for 10% kickback system, it will be easy to attract capable Nigerians to at the expense of the country (students, workers), and help rebuild the nation that they aptly criticize from Universities that needed opportunities to gain from the Diaspora. The government and concerned and transfer technology to the nation. relevant agencies should therefore rise up to the The parents did not help matters either. Parents challenge of revamping the Nigerian university used to be the backbone of the nation. They taught education system so as to benefit lavishly from the their children right from wrong, and they also taught benefits that are accruable from this sector. them the value of hard work. The cultural and societal implication of not receiving good education 7. Conclusion was drilled into them. Parents used to deny themselves to provide good university education for An educated populace is vital in today‘s world; their children. One may ask how parents contributed this fact becomes more indubitable considering the to the decline in education in all tertiary institutions convergent impacts of globalization, the increasing in Nigeria. While parents were sure that their importance of knowledge as a main driver of growth, children did not meet admission requirements, they and the information and communication revolution. encouraged purchase of admission but did not follow Knowledge accumulation and application have up their children‘s performance to ensure a good become major factors in economic development and return on their investment. Today, however, some are increasingly at the core of a country‘s children are richer than their parents because they competitive advantage in the global economy. engage in less than honorable acts. Every parent However, the state of higher educational system in became a businessperson in oil business and other Nigeria has been very discouraging and sad. It is concerns, chasing after contracts and acquiring more very sad because it reflects the frustration that cars and houses while neglecting the moral, social, university lecturers, students, some in government, and academic needs of their children. Money was and parents have been feeling for a long time. What thrown at every problem. The result was, and still is, should be new, however, is that instead to feeling graduating students that pass through schools but that sorry, Nigerians should renew their interest and do not excel and yet graduating. resolve to revive the quality of the educational system for the next generation. No Nigerian can 6. The Way Forward exonerate himself from the culpability of the deplorable state of the nation‘s educational system. I have looked at the systemic genesis of the A cursory review of the genesis of events that led current state of university education in Nigeria so Nigeria to this discouraging paradigm is necessary. that we can together retrace our footsteps and begin A pertinent question here is, does the government to resolve the problem. We must all share the blame have the capacity to change the direction of the for the state of the nation‘s educational system nation or is it just paying lip service to all problems? equally. Government must be blamed for not Let no one make the mistake, Nigerians will survive

in any situation they find themselves but we want [12] Nwangwu, I.O., (2003) Educational Policies in them to survive in an academically, socially and Nigeria: Trends and Implementation. Jobus International, morally acceptable environment just like their Nsukka. counterparts in other parts of the world. The [13] Ajayi, I. A. and Ekundayo, H.T., (2008) Equity and deplorable conditions of higher education and the Quantity in Higher Education. NAEAP Publications. rate of unemployment in Nigeria are clear and Lagos. present dangers to any old and new political party. Nigerians need a benevolent and patriotic [14] Christopher, Odetunde (2012). “The State of Higher government consisting of people that are ready to Education in Nigeria” wipe falling tears of the citizens and help them www.nigerdeltacongress.com/.../state_of_higher_educatio dream again. An old Chinese proverb says that; "We n_in_nig.htm (04-05-2011). have not inherited the earth from our ancestors, we have only borrowed it from our children." Posterity will judge us by whatever we do today, whether we paid our dues or we shortchanged our children.

8. References

[1] Blaike, A., (2002) Recurrent Lessons in Nigerian Education, Tamaza Publishing Company Ltd., Zaria.

[2] Schultz, Theodore W., (1961), ”Investment in Human Capital” American Economic Review 51 (1) (March): pp. 1 – 17.

[3] Castells, Manuel (1994) ”The University System: Engine of Development in the New World Economy” in Jamil Salami and Adrian Verspoor (eds) Revitalizing Higher Education. Pergamon, Oxford.

[4] Kukah, Matthew Hassan, (2007), The Church and the Politics of Social Responsibility. Sovereign Prints, Lagos.

[5] Ike, V. C., (1976), University Development in Africa: The Nigerian Experience. University Press, Ibadan.

[6] Ibukun, W. O., (1997), Educational Management: Theory and Practice. Green Line Publishers, Ado-Ekiti.

[7] Babalola, J. B.; Jaiyeoba, A. O.; and Okediran, A., (2007) “University Autonomy and Financial Reforms in Nigeria: Historical Background, Issues and Recommendations from Experience”. In J. B. Babalola and B. O. Emunemu (eds.). Issues in Higher Education: Research Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa. Lagos: Bolabay Publications.

[8] Nwangwu, I.O., (2003) Educational Policies in Nigeria: Trends and Implementation. Jobus International, Nsukka.

[9] Tilak, Jandhyala B.G., (2009) Financing Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Jerry Commercial Productions, Calabar.

[10] Taskforce on Higher Education and Society (TFHES), (2000) Higher Education in Developing Countries: Perils and Promise. World Bank, Washington DC.

[11] National Teachers‘ Institute, (2010), Post Graduate Diploma in Education: Philosophy of Education. NTI, Kaduna.