Nigerian varsities have become business outlets mautech vc
A very thought-provoking statement!
The Vice-Chancellor of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Professor Abdullahi Bala, has indeed made some remarks that suggest that Nigerian universities have become more focused on generating revenue than on their core mandate of teaching, research, and community service.
In an interview with the Punch Newspaper, Professor Bala was quoted as saying that Nigerian universities have become "business outlets" where lecturers are more concerned with generating income from private students than with imparting knowledge. He also lamented that the universities have become "commodities" that are traded for profit, rather than institutions of learning.
Professor Bala's comments are not without merit. There are several issues that have contributed to the commercialization of Nigerian universities, including:
- Funding crisis: The Nigerian government has consistently underfunded universities, leading to a reliance on private sources of funding, such as tuition fees and research grants.
- Lack of regulation: The lack of effective regulation and oversight has allowed universities to engage in questionable practices, such as charging exorbitant tuition fees and offering substandard programs.
- Commodification of education: The increasing emphasis on private education has led to the commodification of education, where universities are seen as businesses that can generate revenue.
- Lecturer-student ratio: The high lecturer-student ratio in Nigerian universities has led to a situation where lecturers are overworked and underpaid, making it difficult for them to focus on teaching and research.
Professor Bala's comments have sparked a national conversation about the state of Nigerian universities and the need for reforms to restore their focus on teaching, research, and community service.