Re: Nigerian Education- A Bleak Future for the University System?

 Re: Nigerian Education- A Bleak Future for the University System?

By

Prof. M. K. Othman

University education is a crucial issue close to my heart, not because I work at a university but because of my observations on how great nations achieve their heights through innovation and intellectual ability. University is a realm of philosophical insight. People with knowledge-driven thinking, planning, and execution shape the world of the 21st century. There are three different types of people: naturally endowed intellectuals (minority), those who are daft (minority), and the average (majority). The average can be transformed to align favorably with the intellectual community through capacity building at the university. The university can help the disadvantaged (daft) rise to the average. A society that mishandles its university system is doomed sooner rather than later. 

Another key issue with universities is the acquisition of knowledge. It requires time, effort, perseverance, and dedication in the right environment, managed by the right people with the necessary support to both provide and receive knowledge. This is the primary reason why the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues to fuel the struggle to achieve the desired environmental conditions for our university system to reach a minimum global standard. Over the years, university workers have consistently demonstrated their commitment to enhancing the excellence of Nigerian universities in all aspects and addressing the daunting challenges facing the country. At the very least, Nigerians, especially the leadership, can do is provide the necessary support to our university system to avoid an impending bleak future.  

My article on the bleak future of the university system published last week caught my readers' attention. They shared comments, observations, and recommendations, which I am passing along for a broader perspective on the issue. May God prevent the system from collapsing entirely, amen. Happy reading. 

 

Dear Prof. Othman, I have reviewed your write-up on the University’s bleak future. It was a fantastic piece, Prof., but I have two observations: first, you asked, "What do we do to unlock the solution to change the bleak future to a glorious future?" and second, you stated that "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was OVERWHELMINGLY voted into office against all odds...". Regarding the first, universities need to recognize that there are plenty of opportunities to tap into resources at the grassroots level. I believe that universities must transform into enterprises that generate revenue from their knowledge. I will present more on this topic in a paper I plan to share when next you invite me, ideally within a university setting. Concerning the second, I think the word OVERWHELMINGLY should be removed, especially since you mentioned "AGAINST ALL ODDS". 😝😝😝. Overall, thank you, sir. You are keeping the RENEWED HOPE alive. Yallaabai🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Dr. Umar Bindir

 

When a musician earns in one day what it takes 100 university professors a year to make, it is not a matter of income disparity but a reflection of a society that entertains itself more than it educates itself. A nation that invests more in applause than in ideas risks entertaining itself into decline.

Dr. Z. Yusuf  

 

Aamen and amen, Prof. May those hawks and armchair pseudo-intellectuals at the corridors of the Presidency allow this outstanding contribution to visit the Commander-in-Chief’s table.

Dr. Francis Nnms

 

My brother, things are so tricky that even Drs/Prof are crying profusely. Just a few hours ago, a high-profile professor came to my office begging to be sponsored to attend a 5-day workshop in Lagos. I told him that I would approve it pending the release of the 2025 budget from HCD, which we struggled to include in the budget. He said he can't afford a flight ticket to Lagos!

I vividly remember the time when I joined the university system in 2004, before I received any sponsorship from the university. However, I managed to attend conferences abroad at least once a quarter with my salary. Now, it is almost impossible even to afford the costs of publishing research. May God intervene to address these problems, amen.

Anonymous

 

Not only university level. The decline in all strata of our education system is a danger to the Nigerian economy as a whole.

Suleiman Abdullahi

 

Lecturing is a noble profession, and it presents many challenges that need to be addressed for the system to achieve its desired goal. May  Allah see us through ameen.

Mohammed Musa

 

Kudos, Prof, for your excellent write-up. The future is truly bleak unless prompt action is taken to change it. May Nigeria's leaders take the necessary steps to refocus the system. 

Usman Nuhu

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