Professor Olufemi Mimiko, former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Akoko Akungba, has highlighted inadequate funding and systemic corruption as the primary challenges facing Nigeria’s university education.
He expressed this view in a Pre-convocation Lecture, part of the 8th convocation activities at the Federal University, Lokoja, scheduled for this Saturday.
In his lecture titled “Reimagining Nigeria’s University Education for Holistic National Development,” Mimiko emphasized that the core issue affecting university education in Nigeria is its insufficient funding.
Professor Mimiko pointed out that Nigeria remains among the countries that have not yet met UNESCO’s recommended education funding benchmark of 15-20% of GDP (UNESCO, 2015).
He advocated for a higher budget allocation to the education sector in Nigeria, particularly for university education.
A Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Mimiko remarked that physical infrastructure for teaching and learning in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions is inadequate, outdated, overcrowded, and often improvised. He also noted a shortage of essential learning materials and observed that most universities in the country are severely understaffed.
Mimiko attributed one of the main setbacks in Nigeria’s university education to systemic corruption, describing it not only as financial misconduct but also as issues like provincialism and the presence of unmotivated staff.
He emphasized that the solution to the challenges facing Nigerian universities lies in reimagining these institutions to become more competitive and better equipped to drive comprehensive national development.
Remarks From The VC of Federal University, Lokoja
In comparing university and polytechnic education, Professor Mimiko suggested that universities in Nigeria should focus on the more theoretical aspects of knowledge, while polytechnics should be dedicated to developing technical skills and training mid-level professionals.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, emphasized that the lecture aims to foster intellectual discussion, describing Professor Mimiko as a knowledgeable and distinguished scholar.
Akinwumi also expressed the institution’s dedication to academic excellence, noting that the lecture’s topic is highly relevant to guiding future careers. He added that the lecture would significantly contribute to Nigeria’s educational and economic landscape.
