Vice-Chancellors (VCs), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and other stakeholders have raised concerns about the alarming decline in the number of lecturers in Nigerian universities, a situation attributed to mass resignations, retirements, and brain drain driven by poor working conditions and inadequate remuneration.
Prof. Wahab Egbewole, VC of the University of Ilorin, highlighted that the Federal Government’s employment embargo is a major factor exacerbating the lecturer shortage. He emphasized the urgent need for the government to lift the embargo and provide an enabling environment to halt the exodus of academics to other countries and sectors.
Salem University Lokoja’s VC, Prof. Alewo Johnson-Akubo, lamented that while universities previously managed through sabbatical arrangements, the situation has worsened, making it difficult to maintain academic standards. He called for reforms that would allow universities more autonomy in hiring lecturers.
Dr. Muhammad Lawan, Deputy VC of Yobe State University, recommended a revival of the culture of absorbing first-class graduates as lecturers and emphasized the need to expand existing universities rather than establishing new ones.
ASUU chapters across the country expressed similar concerns. Dr. Sunday Oraye, ASUU Chairman of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), warned that overburdening the remaining lecturers with excessive workloads is harming the quality of education. He noted that the pressure is also taking a toll on the health of lecturers, with over 100 reported deaths between August and November 2023.
Dr. Oluwagbemiga Adeleye, ASUU Chairman of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), attributed the lecturer shortage to government policies, economic challenges, and the exodus of lecturers, known as the “Japa” syndrome, in search of better opportunities abroad.
Prof. Oyesoji Aremu from the University of Ibadan described the lecturer migration as a repeat of the 1980s “brain drain” crisis, blaming poor remuneration and inadequate working conditions for the current exodus.
Across various universities, lecturers voiced their frustration at the increased workload, with many handling large classes and numerous courses due to staff shortages. They called on the government to increase funding, improve working conditions, and address the underlying economic issues contributing to the crisis.
Dr. Idris Badiru of the University of Ibadan pointed out that the shortage of lecturers varies by discipline but has led to an unsustainable increase in individual workloads, making it difficult to balance professional responsibilities and personal life.
The stakeholders emphasized that without immediate intervention, the shortage of lecturers will continue to erode the quality of education, further jeopardizing Nigeria’s future workforce. Many urged the government to prioritize education in the national budget, with calls for at least 30% of the budget to be allocated to the sector to address these pressing issues.
A former VC of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, added that recruitment has been hampered since 2015 due to government policies and the introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which has stifled the autonomy of universities in hiring new staff.
With the growing concerns about the quality of education and the future of Nigerian graduates, the stakeholders called for urgent, holistic reforms to restore the integrity and effectiveness of the nation’s higher education system.
