by Austen Oghuma
THE problem with most Nigerian government agencies is their over-bearing presence and their tendencies to be mendacious. In 2007, the NUC set its 7-point agenda that included the attainment of stable and crisis-free University System; work with universities to achieve full accreditation status for at least 80% of their academic programs; initiate and promote proficiency in the use of Information and Communications Technology for service delivery within the commission and the university system; upgrade and maintain physical facilities for delivery of quality education; match graduate output with national manpower needs and foster partnership between the universities and the private sector.
It is probably too early in the year to determine if any of these noble objectives were “actualized by the end of 2012”, the end date the agency had set for itself. But the Executive Secretary of the commission, Julius Okojie has already admitted his inability to succeed in one of the key areas. He said lack of interest in the training of students has affected his pledge to foster partnership between the universities and the private sector, noting that the industrial sector, a direct beneficiary of universities graduates, ought to have been more forthcoming to work with the institutions. Regardless of this, he said that universities and the private sector are co- dependants and therefore inseparable. They need each other.
We may have to wait for the NUC to make its performance fact sheet in other areas public for us to see its scorecard. But it is clear that the universities are no less in distress today than they were in 2007. No one can deny the fact that Nigerian universities are as miserable, chaotic and crisis ridden as in 2007. Lecturers are perpetually threatening to go on strike for sundry reasons including climate change; salary disputes, too much rain and extended dry season.
Understandably, the NUC has no means to reduce the prevalence of pain and decadence in Nigeria’s higher institutions. But the agency was established to level the playing field for more Nigerians to acquire university level education. The economy needs it for society to develop.
The NUC was specifically mandated by the Federal Ministry of Education, “to ensure a systematic development of a well coordinated and productive university system that will guarantee quality and relevant education for national development and global competiveness.” While the mandate is well-intended, it is doubtful if achieving these goals is within the scope and competencies of the current composition of its leadership. It has shutdown about 50 “illegal” universities lately. But they failed to provide alternatives for the thousands of students so rendered homeless so to say. Does the commission really expect these students to remain frustrated for the rest of their life? Instead of shutting them down, the NUC should have tried to guide the universities to main stream and a timeline to within which to establish proper structures for accreditation.
The global competiveness of Nigerian universities graduates is what is relevant here. It is now universally acknowledged that Nigeria graduate degrees are worthless. They are no longer that competitive contrary to entrenched belief that the learning outcomes of Nigerian higher education is comparable to what obtains in other parts of the world. It is not! For starters, there is no where in the world where the process of establishing a private higher institution is endless. There is also no where in the world the cost of obtaining an application form to set up a new university is measured in the millions. Since most promoters of private universities are in business, the application fee sets the tone for student tuition fees. A good-natured advice on NUC website bulletin says: Shun Corruption. It Does Not Pay. If that is the case, why is the process of obtaining a license to establish a private university so cumbersome and littered with trip wires?
The NUC has defined rules and procedures in establishing Open and Distance Learning as an option to brick and mortal universities since most countries are have embraced distance education in the face of new technologies. Even traditional universities now have online component to help universities overcome financial limitations, maximize scarce resources, increase student enrollment, improve learning outcomes and deliver the type the of education required for the 21st century.
As of now, the NUC is still debating the cost to obtain application to set up distance learning though Okojie has already expressed his distrust of the system saying Nigerians will abuse it. While abuse of any system shakes its foundation, it also challenges its leaders and bureaucrats to devise new ways to ensure its integrity. That way society grows to outpace those with devious minds. Take the case of internet hackers and national security and financial institutions for example.
This 2011 Survey of Online Learning in the United States, reveals that the number of students taking at least one online course is 6.7 million. Now nearly one-third of all students in higher education are taking at least one online course.
Additional Questions for Okojie:
- Since Cross Border Education is also part of his responsibilities, how many foreign universities are currently operating in Nigeria either in collaboration or as affiliate?
- How are Quality Assurance Survey conducted?
- What about curriculum review? We understand that they have not been updated..
- What is NUC’s directive on hiring procedures of academic staff? Is emphasis on a show of certificate?
- On illegal universities, what is the Commission doing to enable compliance?