Mass exodus of lecturers: A looming crisis for Nigeria’s tertiary education
The critical challenge currently faced by Nigeria’s
public universities lies in the growing number of lecturers who are departing the country in pursuit of more favourable opportunities overseas.
This exodus of highly qualified educators not only evokes a sense of disheartenment but also presents a significant threat to the future of the nation’s tertiary education system.
Given that education is widely acknowledged as the cornerstone of personal and corporate advancement, the departure of these lecturers raises apprehensions regarding the caliber of education and the overall advancement of Nigeria’s academic institutions.
Consequently, the departure of lecturers from Nigeria’s public universities in their quest for more promising prospects abroad is a matter of great concern. The foundation of personal and corporate development lies in education, thus rendering the departure of teachers, particularly at the tertiary level, a disheartening occurrence..
This trend further worsens the already dire state of public universities in Nigeria, characterised by poor performance, low motivation, and inadequate infrastructure. The sorry state of public universities in Nigeria has been widely acknowledged, with reports of deteriorating conditions reverberating across the nation.
This issue extends beyond tertiary education, affecting primary and secondary levels as well. While private operators dominate primary and secondary education, the licensing of more private universities in recent years has further impacted the tertiary sector.
As a result, public universities, owned by federal and state governments, are in urgent need of attention. If left unchecked, it will result in a severe shortage of teaching staff and a decline in the quality of education provided. Reports indicate that approximately 50 percent of lecturers have already resigned from various universities, with others considering following suit.
Several factors contribute to this exodus, including the desire for better working conditions, career fulfillment, insecurity, poor salaries, inadequate funding, non-payment of outstanding salaries due to strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the harsh economic climate.
The departure of experienced lecturers will undoubtedly impact the quality of education provided in public universities. The loss of these knowledgeable individuals will create a void that cannot be easily filled.
As a result, students may suffer from a lack of guidance and mentorship, hindering their academic and personal growth.
The brain drain also diminishes the reputation of Nigerian universities on the global stage, making it harder to attract international students and faculty.
Recent data gathered showed that as much as 80 percent of the remaining workers are preparing to leave if the current situation persists.
Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved the implementation of 35 percent and 23 percent of salary increment for staff of all federal tertiary institutions, the increment does not appear to dissuade many from considering alternatives.
During the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian government took commendable steps by establishing universities in every state, even in those where none existed before. However, the management and funding of these institutions have posed significant challenges for the government, leading to ongoing conflicts with the staff unions.
Among these unions, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been particularly vocal, as they understand the crucial role they play in upholding educational standards and imparting knowledge to future generations.
Presently, a sense of dissatisfaction permeates the academic staff in public universities. Many talented individuals are resigning from their positions and seeking better opportunities abroad. The once thriving mentoring programs, which used to attract first-class graduates with the promise of automatic employment, are now crumbling.
These brilliant minds have chosen to abandon these programs and explore new prospects overseas, capitalizing on the abundance of grants, scholarships, and financial aid available in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, and other parts of the Western world.
The decline of the education system has been further exacerbated by the heavy-handed approach adopted by the Muhammadu Buhari administration in dealing with the staff unions, particularly ASUU. Despite some progress made in renegotiating the 2009 Agreement between ASUU and the government, thanks to the efforts of the Nimi-Briggs Committee, the Buhari administration has failed to address crucial issues regarding remuneration in public universities.
Earned allowances and other benefits remain unresolved, leaving a sense of neglect among the academic community.
The morale of academic staff in Nigerian universities has been seriously affected by the deteriorating remuneration structure, which has worsened due to the general downturn in the economy and high inflation rates. This issue needs to be addressed urgently.
The government’s over-bloated admission policy in universities has led to excess capacity and increased workload, putting pressure on academic staff.
Other factors contributing to the crisis in universities include career fulfillment issues, insecurity, and inadequate funding. As a result, many academic staff are resigning, including those from major public universities such as the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, and University of Benin, as well as newer generation and state universities.
Replacing staff in federal universities has become difficult due to the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which prohibits universities from recruiting new staff to fill gaps in the staff structure. The use of adjunct and contract staff under the IPPIS model has also become counterproductive to the efficient running of universities.
These issues highlight the need to revisit the concept of university autonomy, which has not been fully realized despite being raised by ASUU over time.
Except provision is made for University Vice Chancellors to recruit without unnecessary resort to the authorities in Abuja or the state capitals, the crisis in the universities will continue unabated.
The issues facing universities should be addressed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It is crucial to significantly increase the salaries of academic staff.
Currently, the highest paid Professor earns less than $500 per month, which is one of the lowest salaries on the African continent. This is concerning because it makes it difficult for public universities to attract quality foreign academic staff.
The administration should also seek a commitment from the unions to take a more proactive approach in addressing their challenges in the future. Instead of solely relying on the “no work, no pay” ruling of the Industrial Court, a political solution should be considered as it is more likely to bring lasting peace to the system.Furthermore, the administration should strive to implement the concept of university autonomy effectively.
This would involve university alumni and other critical stakeholders in the efforts to improve public universities.
Meanwhile, the government needs to take more action to combat common criminality and ensure the safety of lives and property across the country.
To address this crisis, urgent attention must be given to public universities. The government needs to prioritize education by allocating more funds to improve infrastructure, increase salaries, and provide better working conditions for lecturers.
Additionally, efforts should be made to address the issues raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to prevent future strikes and ensure timely payment of salaries. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners can also help bridge the gap and enhance the quality of education in Nigeria.
The exodus of lecturers from Nigeria’s public universities poses a significant threat to the country’s tertiary education system.
Urgent action is required to address the issues driving this trend and prevent further deterioration. By investing in education and creating an enabling environment for lecturers, Nigeria can safeguard the future of its tertiary education and ensure the development of its citizens and corporations.
