The university education system of operation is in a serious crisis. It has become a norm for disputes to erupt between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government every year, thereby undermining the system. This existing conflict underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive restructuring of the sector.
ASUU recently called off the two-week warning strike it had launched on 13 October. The academic union announced the suspension of the strike following a comprehensive dialogue with government officials and interruption of some Nigerians.
Chris Piwuna, the ASUU president stated that the university union would give the Federal Government a one-month window to demonstrate sincerity and dedication in working out neglected issues.
However, ASUU’s demands are clear and non-negotiable: the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement; payment of retained salaries which is three and a half months in total from the 2022 strike; settlement of outstanding salary arrears ranging from 25 to 35 per cent; and sustainable funding for public universities.
The Federal Government had pledged to administer N1.3 trillion into public university revival in six tranches under the 2009 agreement. While the first tranche of N200 billion was released in 2013, the promised annual release of N220 billion over the next five years never materialised.
This amount, already inadequate then, is now a paltry sum, especially given that the naira has devalued by over 90 per cent since 2009. Furthermore, the number of Federal Government-owned universities has nearly doubled from 39 in 2009 to 74 today.
Public universities are currently suffering from dilapidated infrastructure, outdated libraries, unsatisfactory laboratory equipment and overcrowded hostels, and classrooms.
While ASUU’s relentlessly strike-driven approach to pressing for improved welfare and reforms has contributed to crippling the universities, the government bears the answers to stop these issues decisively.
President Bola Tinubu must fulfil his promise to find lasting solutions, starting by honouring the agreement signed with ASUU.
Funding Nigerian universities requires innovative approaches. If raising bonds is necessary, the government should pursue it with strict accountability.
Globally, universities sustain themselves through patents, endowments, government and research grants, and diverse revenue streams. For instance, Harvard University’s endowment stood at $56.9 billion in 2025, with operating expenses of $6.8 billion that year.
Nigerian universities should look beyond government funds and become entrepreneurial. The University of Lagos, for example, established a car assembly plant in 2022 in partnership with Nord Automobiles, alongside a water production company.
Similarly, the University of Ibadan operates U.I. Ventures Limited, managing various businesses such as a hotel, event centre, bakery, cold room, mini-mart, petrol station, and printing press.
Pan-Atlantic University exemplifies entrepreneurial innovation by generating revenue through its Enterprise Development Centre and Lagos Business School, which provide business development and consultancy services.
Universities should seek partnerships with private entities to attract funding, but must first prove their relevance to those businesses. Alumni associations also represent an untapped resource that can support these institutions.
Moreover, lecturers must be paid competitive salaries to attract and retain talent. For a professor to earn an average of N500,000 per month reveals much about staff welfare. According to Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, poor remuneration forced at least 239 first-class graduates employed as lecturers at UNILAG to quit within seven years.
This situation contrasts sharply with pay in other countries. In Switzerland, after 15 years of experience, an average teacher earns $69,000 annually, and in Luxembourg, a teacher with similar experience earns about $98,000.
In conclusion, administrators of Nigeria Universities must work with dedication and vision to build institutions that meet the country’s needs. While the government has a role to play, universities themselves must look inward for solutions and innovation.
