Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, has raised concerns over the increasing lethargy and indifference in Nigerian universities, attributing it to their continued over-reliance on government funding. He argues that this dependency, heavily influenced by the ideological stance of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), is stifling innovation and progress in higher education.
In a recent presentation titled “Realistic and Alternative Funding Models and Resource Management for Nigerian Universities” held in Abuja, Professor Bamiro critically examined the challenges of revenue generation and funding within public universities across Nigeria.
“There is a high level of unsustainable dependence on government for funding,” Bamiro stated, emphasizing the need for universities to explore alternative sources of income from other key stakeholders. He highlighted that the traditional model, which views education primarily as a public good, is increasingly out of sync with Nigeria’s aspirations to emerge as a modern nation-state and a significant player on the global stage.
Contrary to the popular belief that education is solely a public good, Bamiro argued that it serves both public and private interests. He pointed out that universities’ heavy reliance on government support fosters a culture of apathy and complacency, which in turn hampers the institutions’ ability to harness their intellectual capital and seek out alternative funding avenues.
A significant aspect of his argument centered around the politicization of tuition fees in Nigerian higher education. The government’s policy of minimal or no tuition fees, according to Bamiro, has deprived universities of a vital and readily available source of additional funding. He urged the revival of the National Education Bank, which had been discontinued, to provide financial support to underprivileged students through bursaries, student loans, and scholarships.
Bamiro also emphasized the need for universities to manage their finances more effectively by developing needs-based budgets for government review. He called for the implementation of a performance-driven system within the government’s funding mechanism, where the distribution of funds would be based on clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
In addition, he recommended a comprehensive review of the current Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) system, arguing that certain commercial ventures—such as table water production, bakery operations, space rentals, and guest house management—require a management approach that does not interfere with the academic responsibilities of university staff.
Supporting Bamiro’s views, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), stressed the urgent need for Nigerian higher education institutions to adopt values, principles, standards, and best practices associated with good governance. He called on governing councils to lead their institutions with integrity and a strong sense of stewardship as they navigate the complexities of university administration.
Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), further elaborated on the governance structures within Nigerian universities in a technical paper titled “Roles and Responsibilities of Governing Councils: Navigating Expectations and Limitations.” He explained that the roles and responsibilities of each university’s council are clearly outlined in the laws establishing the institution, with many similarities existing across the federal universities established in the 1970s.
Professor Bello noted that the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 and its subsequent amendments in 1996, 2003, and 2012 provided additional clarity on the functions of university councils. He pointed out that Section 7 of the University Act explicitly charges the Council with the overall supervision and control of the university’s policies, finances, and assets.
