By: Femi-Adenyi Joshua 

Professor Idowu Peter Farai, an erudite Professor of Radiation and Health Physics at the University of Ibadan, has sounded the alarm on the dire state of the Nigerian university system.

In his valedictory lecture titled “The University I met, and the One I am Exiting” delivered on the 29th of August, 2024, Professor Farai urged stakeholders to take immediate action to address the system’s many problems.

According to Professor Farai, the root cause of the protracted crisis is the acute paucity of funds, which has left universities struggling to provide quality education.

He emphasized that university education is a capital intensive affair, requiring significant investment to maintain modern facilities, equipment, and staff.

He criticized the current practice of focusing solely on salaries and wages, stressing that a straightforward policy on funding for operations is essential.

He also challenged the notion that university education should be free in Nigeria, arguing that this approach is unrealistic and unsustainable.

The renowned professor called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to partner with the government on a realistic funding strategy, rather than taking a populist stance on the payment of fees.

He also advocated for universities to invest in entrepreneurial ventures to improve internally generated revenue.

The lecture was a clarion call to action, underscoring the need for stakeholders to recognize the gravity of the situation and work together to rescue the Nigerian university system.

Credit – UI Directorate of Public Communication, UI