Why Nigerian tertiary institutions are poorly rated internationally, by provost

PROVOST of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin, Lagos, Mr. Wasiu Bashorun, says irregular academic calendars, non-adherence to rules and ethics were some of the problems responsible for the persistent poor performance of Nigerian tertiary institutions in international ratings.

Bashorun spoke in Lagos on the sidelines of the send forth ceremony organised for the former registrar of the institution, Mr. Bola Disu.

“If you look at institutions of higher learning in the country, students’ union leaders, the authorities and government are all getting it wrong. Each and everyone of us is supposed to know the rules and guidelines of our institutions.

“So, what I am talking about now is that we need to know the dictates, rules, ethics and confines of the institution, and work within them. And these are part of the problems we have been having in our tertiary institutions, not necessarily AOCOED, because I can speak of tertiary institutions in Lagos State.

“The union leaders do not know their limits, and the school authorities are not forceful enough in enforcing rules. It took me a long time to realise that beyond AOCOED, it was high time government give the needed support to school authorities in decision-making, especially decisions to ensure that academic activities were not disrupted as a result of unionism, students’ unrest and so on. This is the most obvious reason for the irregular academic calendar, and we need to ensure that it is limited,’’ the provost said.

He, however, said that anyone who had gone beyond his or her limits to contribute meaningfully to the development of the society should be appreciated and rewarded.

He said that Disu contributed meaningfully to the growth of the institution and put in over two decades of meritorious services to the institution.

Bashorun maintained that just as people were being rewarded for meritorious services, so also should there be sanctions for defaulters in order that a balance would be struck.

On his part, Disu said all personnel in tertiary institutions, be they vice chancellors, provosts, lecturers or students, all had sacrosanct duties to perform towards realizing the setting up of the schools.

“Things must be done to the best of our abilities because it is not by chance that we were given the opportunities to serve. We have to mould the children, who are the future of the country; we cannot afford to toy with them, but must put in our best,’’ he said.

“Education is not an industry to be treated like any other industry. As far back as the 1950s and 1960s, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo put 50 per cent of the budgetary allocation into education. If today we are celebrating 10, eight or 13 per cent of the budgetary allocation to education, then we need to do more.

“UNESCO says that 26 per cent of yearly budgets should be set aside for education. But for us in tertiary institutions, it should be more than that because if you get it right in education, you will get it right in any other sector. But if you get it wrong in education, then forget about other sectors.

“The new government must endeavour to systematically increase the budgetary allocation for education,’’ the former registrar advised adding that school authorities must be accountable in funds management.