THE plight of students at the University of Lagos, Akoka, stranded off-campus due to delayed hostel renovations, serves as a glaring indictment of the Federal Government?s approach to higher education in Nigeria. The anarchical hiatus lays bare a systemic failure?one rooted in misplaced priorities and the government?s pursuit of establishing new universities at the expense of adequately funding and managing the existing ones.

This crisis does not just reflect on the inefficiencies of the UNILAG management but underscores a larger problem: a government that prioritises quantity over quality, leaving millions of Nigerian students grappling with the consequences of underfunded institutions. It is a condemnation of a system that prioritises political gains over educational needs, with dire implications for the country?s development.

The chaotic disruption at UNILAG is emblematic of a wider crisis. The university management announced in 2024 that students would remain off-campus for the first semester due to hostel renovations. The decision was necessitated by years of neglect that left the hostels in decrepit conditions.

Renovations have been concluded at three hostels, including Mariere Hostel with a plan to also revamp Makama Bida, Eni Njoku, and Biobaku among others.

While the renovations are undoubtedly necessary, the execution has been riddled with problems. Delayed disbursement of funds by the Federal Government has stalled progress, with only three hostels nearing completion.

This has left thousands of students scrambling to find off-campus accommodations in Lagos, a city notorious for its exorbitant rent.

Private hostels charge as much as N800,000 per annum for a single room, an amount far beyond the reach of most students, particularly those from low-income families. Medical students pay N100,000 for a bed space while others pay N80,000.

The university management?s assurances of reduced hostel fees for the eventual semester of use, do little to alleviate the financial and emotional burden on students and their families. More so, it raises the question: why embark on such an ambitious renovation plan without a concrete timeline and guaranteed funding?

The decision to direct students off-campus exposes them to significant risks. Off-campus housing, while expensive, often lacks basic security and amenities. Students living in remote or unregulated areas are vulnerable to theft, harassment, and other dangers. For female students, the risks are even more pronounced, with cases of assault and exploitation reported frequently.

The government and university management must answer for these lapses. Where is the accountability in prioritising new universities while neglecting the welfare of students in existing ones?

As of 2024, Nigeria had 274 universities, comprising federal (63), state (62), and private (149). The National Universities Commission continues to approve new public universities, even as existing ones face crippling challenges. This proliferation is baffling, considering the blatant inadequacies in infrastructure, staffing, and funding across the current institutions.

In 2023, the Federal Government allocated a mere 7.2 per cent to education, a stark contrast to Ghana, which allocated 23 per cent of its budget to education in 2022. South Africa spends approximately 20 per cent, ensuring that its universities remain competitive, and its students are adequately equipped for the global economy.

In Nigeria, the lack of proper funding has far-reaching consequences. Hostels are dilapidated, classrooms overcrowded, laboratories obsolete, and lecturers are underpaid. How can the Federal Government justify opening more universities when it cannot manage its current portfolio effectively? The ongoing renovations at UNILAG are a case in point, highlighting the chaos that ensues when resources are spread too thin.

The rot in Nigeria?s tertiary education system is not a recent development. It dates back decades, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities consistently pushing for the implementation of agreements made with the Federal Government. ASUU is at loggerheads with the Federal Government over a N1.2 trillion MoU between the two parties signed in 2009.

The ASUU-FGN agreement outlined plans for revitalising Nigerian universities, improving staff welfare, and addressing the infrastructure deficit. Yet, 14 years later, most of these promises remain unfulfilled.

The government?s failure to honour this agreement has led to incessant strikes, with ASUU going on industrial actions for a cumulative period of over four years since 1999. These strikes disrupt academic calendars, delay graduations, and diminish the quality of education.

Meanwhile, students bear the brunt of a system in perpetual dysfunction, forced to grapple with uncertainty and extended years in school.

While Nigeria struggles with its education system, other African countries offer examples of what is possible with focused leadership and strategic investment. Rwanda has transformed its education sector through targeted reforms. The country spends about 17 per cent of its national budget on education and has prioritised technology-driven learning and teacher training.

South Africa, with its higher education funding pegged at 20 per cent of its national budget, has world-class institutions like the University of Cape Town, which consistently ranks among the top universities globally. Ghana, a fellow West African country, has made significant strides by ensuring stable academic calendars and improving university infrastructure.

These countries prove that funding is not the sole issue; leadership, planning, and a genuine commitment to education are equally critical.

The neglect of Nigeria?s higher education system has broader implications for national development. An underfunded education sector produces graduates ill-equipped to compete in a globalised world. Employers frequently bemoan the skills gap among Nigerian graduates, a direct result of the substandard facilities and teaching methods in many universities.

Furthermore, the brain drain phenomenon?where talented Nigerian lecturers and researchers migrate to other countries for better opportunities?continues to deplete the intellectual capital needed for national growth.

In 2021 alone, over 500 Nigerian lecturers reportedly left the country for greener pastures.

The ripple effects extend to the economy. A poorly educated workforce cannot drive innovation, attract foreign investment, or foster sustainable development. Nigeria?s aspirations for economic diversification and industrialisation hinge on a robust education system, one that equips its citizens with the skills and knowledge needed to lead in science, technology, and business.

The Federal Government must rethink its priorities. The government must halt the establishment of new universities until existing ones are adequately funded and managed. This will allow for the consolidation of resources and focus on improving infrastructure, staff welfare, and academic standards.

President Bola Tinubu?s government must commit to increasing thebudgetary allocationto education. This increase should be accompanied by transparent mechanisms to ensure funds are used effectively.

It must honour the ASUU agreements and work collaboratively with the union to address the challenges in tertiary education. A harmonious relationship with lecturers is essential for stability and progress.

Also, institutions must be held accountable for how funds are utilised. Regular audits and student engagement in decision-making processes can ensure transparency and efficiency.

Education is the bedrock of any country?s development. Nigeria?s neglect of its universities in favour of political expediency is a grave disservice to its youth and future.

The UNILAG hostel debacle is not just a local issue; it is a symptom of a national crisis that demands urgent attention.

The Federal Government must recognise that the current trajectory is unsustainable. By prioritising quality over quantity and putting the welfare of students and staff at the forefront, Nigeria can begin to rebuild its higher education system and secure a bright future for its citizens. (The PUNCH Editorial)

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