By Waziri Isa Adam who was in Okada
The Acting Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Mr Chris Jibreel Maiyaki has congratulated the Founder and Chancellor of Igbinedion University Okada, Benin, Edo State Nigeria for conceiving the wonderful idea of establishing a great citadel of learning which has today become one of the leading universities that are churning out quality manpower in the country
The Acting Executive Secretary who spoke as the Guest Lecturer of the 22nd edition of the University’s convocation ceremony at Okada, also gave justification for the establishment of more universities in Nigeria. He spoke on “Repositioning The Nigerian University System For Enhanced National Development”. Mr Maiyaki emphasized the importance of repositioning the Nigerian university system to meet the demands of national development. He highlighted the need for universities to produce graduates who are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to drive national development.ยน
Mr Maiyaki who thanked the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, the Vice-chancellor and his formidable management team, staff and students for giving him the opportunity to deliver the convocation lecture, commended the founder for his diligence and willingness to be informed partners in the enterprise of growing our universities to global standards
Speaking on the justification for more universities in the most populous black nation in the world, Mr Maiyaki said, “In the 2019/2020 academic session, the NUS had a total of 2.1 million student enrolments – making it the largest in Sub-saharan Africa. With a pulsation of over 234 million and 59.27 % literacy rate, the current number of 274 universities in Nigeria is grossly inadequate
He said India with a population of over 1.44 billion and a literacy rate of 76.32% has 5,349 universities; Indonesia with a population of over 279 million has 3,277 universities, the United States of America with a literacy rate of 79% and a population of over 341.6 million has 3,180 Universities; China with a population of over 1.5 billion and 99.83% literacy rate has 2,495 Universities; Brazil with a population of 217 million, 94.69 literacy rate, has 1,264 Universities,;Mexico with a population of 129 million, with a literacy rate of 95.25% has 1,139 Universities and Iran with a population of 89.81 million and 86.9% literacy rate has 440 Universities.
On access to university education, Maiyaki said, “although access to university education in Nigeria has steadily increased over the last 20 years, higher education participation is still below 15% on account of limitations of available spaces and the preference for universities over Polytechnics and Colleges of Education by potential candidates.
On staffing, he said, “according to NUC records, the total number of academic staff in the NUS, in 2020, was 76,558, comprising 57,146 males (74.6%) and 19,412 females ((25.45%). Out of this number, 11,877 were Professors (10, 075 males and 1,802 females). The total number of non-academic staff in 2020 stood at 154,550, comprising 94,855 males (61.4%), and 59,695 females (38.6%).
On Curriculum, the acting executive secretary said the advent of curriculum development in Nigeria could be traced to the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates by the British government in 1914, ushering in British curriculum that was designed to produce low level manpower who would serve the missionaries and colonial government as servants, clerks, teachers, interpreters etc.
“Following Nigeria’s independence, there arose the need to review the existing curriculum to suit the needs of the new Nigerian state. Consequently, a committee of Education experts from Harvard University, USA, was constituted for that purpose. The review, among others, resulted in the introduction of science-based subjects, replacement of Latin with French, and the introduction of African history as a replacement for British History”, he lectured.
He further highlighted that in order to build the institutional capacity for the sustainability and maintenance of curricular relevance, the Nigerian Educational Research Council (NERC),now known as the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), was established.
He said Curriculum development in the NUS has over the years, been shaped by global trends in higher education in line with global expectations.
However, the process was slowed down by the Covid-19; Pandemic, and the Industrial action by ASUU, was concluded in 2022, resulting in the development of the core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for 17 disciplines covering over 230 academic programs. This newly branded curriculum for the NUS, which was launched by the Honourable Minister of Education, became operational in Nigerian Universities in September 2023, beginning with year one students. In line with best practices, curriculum review is conducted quinquinally (every 5 years).
He spoke on facilities and equipment in Nigerian Universities which he said are far from optimal, although improvements are being made by the federal government through interventions in Public Universities using TETFund and the Presidential NEEDS Assessment.
On the way forward, in view of the identified challenges, Mr Maiyaki offered a 21-point solution which included restoration of normalcy in the academic calendar, adoption of hybrid mode of teaching (a blend of the face to face teaching and the virtual mode) by all Nigerian Universities, Improve funding of the Universities by Proprietors and other stakeholders, including Alumni Associations; Effective deployment of financial resources by University Managents and effective monitoring of all TETFund Intervention in Public Universities to ensure appropriate deployment.
On a final note, he emphasized the tripartite responsibilities of Nigerian Universities which included teaching, research and community service, which he said are critical for sustainable national development.