By Chester Yakubu

ABUJA-Some academics and non-academic staff in leading Nigerian universities have kicked against the call for the establishment of more universities by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed.

Professor Rasheed last week while delivering a lecture at the convocation ceremony of the Fountain University, Osogbo called for the establishment of more private universities in the land, arguing that the over 100 varsities in the land are insufficient to accommodate the millions of candidates seeking admissions annually.

The NUC scribe also argued that more private universities would brighten the chances of the nation’s institutions to compete favorably with their counterparts elsewhere in the world.

Meanwhile, academics from top universities in the country have faulted the call by Professor Rasheed, arguing that adequate funding of existing universities should be prioritized rather than establishing new ones. According to them, the failure of the nation’s Ivory Towers to make the list of the first ten universities in the African continent is enough reason to think quality first as against quantity.

In a telephone conversation with Vanguard on Thursday, Akande Joseph Olorunfemi, a lecturer in the department of Accounting, University of Jos, said only private sector involvement with guaranteed access and proven capacity to deliver where government has failed, would do. Akande who lamented the sorry state of infrastructures in government-owned universities noted that the dearth of quality teaching is becoming a huge problem in Nigerian.

“The NUC boss needs to take a tour round existing universities to see things for himself. Almost everywhere, teachers are inadequate, just as facilities are in a sorry state of disrepair. This is the 21^st century and yet, internet connection is still a huge challenge,” stated Akande who counseled against the call for establishment of more universities except same are properly funded and affordable to majority of Nigerians.

“Yes, Professor Rasheed called for private investment but from what we have seen with the existing private institutions, we do not need more of them. Regardless of the supposed-quality being brandished in the media, the truth is, most of these institutions are beyond the reach of the average Nigerian. If there are artificially-erected obstacles to access; quantity is of no meaningful significance,” Akande submitted.

Taking a slightly different approach is Saidu Idris who lectures in the Department of Public Administration, Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto. According to him, neither government nor the private sector should be involved in the next couple of years in the establishment of more universities until existing ones are sufficiently supported to excel in teaching and research.

“Our universities need more funding to remain competitive. I don’t agree that more universities would solve the problem of demand for admission. Universities are not the only higher institutions in the country. I think those not admitted into varsities can go to the polytechnics, colleges of education and other top institutions in the country. My problem with private universities is that very few privileged people can afford to send their children and wards into these schools,” said Saidu.

Against the backdrop of the statement credited to the NUC scribe that private investment in the Nigerian university system should “fill the gap,” Saidu said what’s needed is the political will to make public universities efficient by adequately funding them and making research and human capital development a top priority. In his words, the struggle for foreign degrees has seen many pitching their tents in such countries as Malaysia and Sudan wondering why Nigeria is finding it difficult to take a clue from those nations.

“The young ones leave the shores of Nigeria to Malaysia and Sudan to acquire university degrees. What we must not forget here is that they do not go there to study in private schools but in publicly-run institutions. Why can’t we make government-owned universities attractive to all and sundry?” he queried.

Dr. Usman Danladi Abubakar is a senior lecturer in the department of Local Government and Development Studies, Ahmadu Bello University. Contacted for his comment on the call for more universities, the Associate Professor warned in strong terms, the attempt to make fun of the education system with more universities. “What we need is more funding and empowerment of existing institutions,” he stated.

Competitiveness is not premised on the number of institutions but on capacity to deliver quality services to students and the society, says Oboromen Amupitan, Senior Assistant Registrar at the Federal University, Lokoja. Professor Rasheed should be told that “it is not about quantity but quality” she argues adding that “until existing universities get it right,” the nation would be laboring but in vain with the establishment of new ones.

It is hoped that the former Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University, Kano would take time to reflect on the state of the nation’s universities and back off the path being paved by capitalists whose primary motivation is profiteering as against knowledge development that universities are universally established to champion.