In a startling revelation, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), disclosed that no fewer than 239 first-class graduates, employed as lecturers at the institution, have left over the past seven years due to poor pay and working conditions.
Speaking as the guest lecturer at The PUNCH Forum, themed “Innovative Funding of Functional Education in the Digital Age,” Ogundipe outlined the grave situation the university is facing. He revealed that between 2015 and 2022, UNILAG had employed 256 first-class graduates. However, by October 2023, only 17 remained at the institution.
Ogundipe explained that the mass exodus of these highly skilled lecturers was primarily attributed to inadequate remuneration, poor working conditions, and a lack of motivation. He said, “What remains is not up to 10 percent. All of them have gone. In 2015, 86 were employed; in 2016, 82; during my tenure, between 2017 and 2022, 88 were employed. But as of October 2023, only 17 remain.”
The former VC further lamented that without proper intervention, Nigerian universities would soon see a shift, where women would dominate the academic field, much like what is happening in secondary schools. “By the time you get home, there is no light, and the Federal Government is offering us loans. How can we use N10 million to build a security post? How do you encourage them? Many of our young colleagues are tired,” Ogundipe added.
Ogundipe emphasized that the education sector in Nigeria has long been underfunded, with both federal and state allocations consistently below 10 percent of the national budget, far from the 15 to 26 percent recommended by UNESCO. He urged the government to increase funding to the education sector, stressing that poor infrastructure, low teachers’ pay, and a lack of research support were crippling the country’s universities.
Speaking about the potential future of Nigerian higher education, Ogundipe warned that unless urgent measures are taken, only poorly prepared candidates would be entering postgraduate programs, further degrading the quality of education. “The unfortunate reality is that, in the near future, universities will become predominantly female institutions, and the quality of students pursuing postgraduate studies will be lower.”
Ogundipe also proposed that the government explore innovative funding mechanisms for universities, beyond conventional allocations. These include public-private partnerships, alumni endowments, and collaborations with donor agencies. He highlighted how UNESCO sees innovative financing as crucial to bridging the $100 billion annual financing gap in education for low and lower-middle-income countries.
He called for greater involvement from the private sector, urging businesses to see educational support as not just social responsibility but as an investment in the workforce of the future. “The private sector should invest not only in infrastructure but also in curricula, research, and people,” Ogundipe said.
Ogundipe also urged alumni to contribute to their alma maters, whether by donating, mentoring, or advocating for reforms, as well as stressing the role of civil society and faith-based organizations in transforming education at the grassroots level.
Lastly, Ogundipe made a passionate plea to all Nigerians, encouraging them to prioritize education for future generations. He concluded, “Let us see education as the most sacred trust we must pass on to our children. Our fingerprints, our names, should be found in the libraries, digital labs, scholarships, and in the lives we change.”
