Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), has spotlighted poor governance, academic corruption, and inadequate funding as critical issues undermining the fortunes of Nigerian universities. He made these remarks while delivering the 2024 Registry Lecture at Babcock University in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.
Maiyaki’s lecture, titled “Registry Operations and Technology: Leveraging Technology to Optimise Registry Operations in Alignment with University Best Practices,” reviewed the decline in the quality and reputation of Nigeria’s university system over the past three decades compared to its earlier successes. He attributed this decline to a combination of economic pressures, reduced funding, and systemic issues including poor governance and social vices.
The NUC Acting Executive Secretary lamented that Nigerian graduates, once renowned for their excellence, are now struggling due to a range of factors, including inadequate funding and frequent industrial actions. He emphasized the need for enhanced funding, better governance, and a focus on improving the family system’s role in education.
Maiyaki also stressed the importance of embracing technology and artificial intelligence to revolutionize university administration. He urged educational administrators to build stronger relationships with external stakeholders and focus on developing effective systems to support long-term growth and excellence.
In his address, Maiyaki called on Nigerian universities to continue working with the NUC to foster a future defined by excellence, equity, and global competence. He reiterated that giving up is not an option and that continuous effort is essential for overcoming the challenges facing higher education.
The Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo, highlighted the significance of the lecture as a platform for discussing key issues within the university system. He emphasized that such discussions are crucial for stimulating progress and improvement in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
News Editor