TheCitizen - It's all about you
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
TheCitizen - It's all about you
No Result
View All Result

Private varsities: A wake up call – Nigerian Tribune

The Citizen by The Citizen
May 9, 2014
in Public Affairs, Uncategorized
A A
0
22
SHARES
734
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Ever since the Federal Government commenced the granting of licenses to operate private universities, pundits have always argued that this liberalisation of the education sector is a panacea to the rot in the public tertiary education system. It is also seen as the antidote to the crisis of access to education bedevilling university education inNigeria. To some extent, the latter has been achieved while for the former, the reverse has been the case.
It is crystal clear that private nursery, primary and  secondary institutions are, in most cases, turning out better products than public schools. For the university system however, the scenario is the converse, unfortunately. Ill- equipped graduates are being turned out by private universities even when they lay claim  to produce as many “first class graduates” as possible. A private university once vowed that they would continue to produce first class graduates irrespective of criticisms from the Nigerian larger society.

We are very much concerned about the reported situations in many of these private universities viz: drastic lowering  of admission standards, low calibre staff and heavy workload of same, fictitious academic and non –academic staff lists, false qualification claims, virtual absence of normal academic structures, proprietor’s overbearing executive powers and jettisoning of academic culture to mention but a few. There is the reported case of a proprietor who sacks Vice – Chancellors at will to the extent that the university produced three Vice- Chancellors in the four years of its existence and arbitrary announcement of “Professors” without due process of internal and external assessment in some cases. A Vice-Chancellor was reportedly sacked for insisting that funds be made available to departmental units for smooth operations in line with  NUC standards. In many cases, Vice- Chancellors of private  universities, often referred to as Chief Academic Officers are virtually powerless as far as the running of the universities are concerned and they retain their positions at the pleasure of their employers – usually the all-powerful proprietors.

We observe that the NUC normally appoints established universities as mentors to these fledgling private universities during their gestation period. We do not know, however, how much of these mentors’ terms of reference have been accomplished.  Mentors are supposed, inter-alia, to provide expert advice on recruitment of staff and implementation of carrying capacity, assist in the moderation of admissions, examination questions and results, advise on the development of curricula and establishing of new programmes; provide advice and assistance on staff development and provide general quality assurance advice.

It is sad that many private universities not only put square pegs in rectangular holes, they arbitrarily appoint unqualified persons as principal officers. Imagine a university that appoints a graduate (an alumnus of the university) with less than five years post-graduation experience as its Registrar. The same university also went ahead to appoint a fresh professor (also announced as one by the proprietor) as Vice Chancellor. This, the Registrar boasted on the pages of a weekly is a great achivement asking Nigerians to point to any university that can produce a graduate of less than five years experience as a Registrar. The list of infractions seems endless.

We wish to call on the NUC to set up, as a matter of utmost urgency, a high –powered investigation to the private universities appointed “Professors” to determine their suitability to occupy this apex of the academic ladder. Reports  on the decadence in these private universities are damning. Even in private secondary schools, principals are in most cases given free hands to operate.  The situation is different in most private universities where appointments to principal positions are no longer attractive due to the overbearing interference of the founders/ proprietors. There is the reported case of a proprietor who expels students at will without the knowledge of the Vice- Chancellor. When proprietors turn universities to regimented and “intellectual prison yards” for staff and students, then something is definitely wrong. Even lecturers have to take permission to exit the campus for private visits.

We observe that the licences of these private universities are tenurial with five years in most cases. Therefore, the license of any of them that is found wanting should not be renewed. Those that are admitting students for courses that have been denied accreditations are committing a very serious offence for which they should be appropriately sanctioned.

We call on the private universities concerned to stop bastardising the normal university culture. Proper academic structures should be put in place. The proprietors should allow appropriate organs of the university to function and be equipped with qualified and experienced staff. It is not compulsory that a professor must rise to become a Vice-Chancellor. Therefore, Vice- Chancellors that observe their proprietors perpetrating  anti-university culture must be courageous  enough to withdraw their services.

The quality of university products is very critical in the production of the much needed manpower in this country. Pray what kind of graduate will a university produce where a lecturer boasts that he teaches seven courses!
Ours is a wake-up call to get things right in the universities concerned. Any proprietor must accept the fact that it is not all private institutions that must make profit or break-even during gestation periods. Therefore, qualified and experienced organs must be put in place; principal officers must be allowed to function without fearing the big stick of the founder/ proprietor; let mentors perform their duties without expecting compensation or allowing themselves to be compromised. NUC Accreditation panels always consist of Nigerian academics. Let the panels perform their duties without fear or favour.  We submit that things must be got right in Nigerian private universities so as not to end up in the very alley from which the nation seek escape.

Share9Tweet6Share2
Previous Post

Fidelity Bank presents Facts Behind the Figures at NSE

Next Post

Fifth columnists hampering terror war – Punch

Related Posts

Avoidable deaths from container-laden trucks – Punch
Public Affairs

Avoidable deaths from container-laden trucks – Punch

February 2, 2023
COVID-19: Security operatives foil attempted jailbreak in Kaduna
Public Affairs

Governors should act on death row inmates – Punch

February 1, 2023
Electoral Act Amendment bill: Senators threaten to override Buhari as governors back President
Latest News

State assemblies right to reject LG autonomy – Punch

January 31, 2023
AMCON denies bid to seize Dangote refinery over debts
Public Affairs

Refineries’ privatisation solution to current mess – Punch

January 27, 2023
Gunmen shoot traveller dead, burn vehicle in Enugu
Public Affairs

Targeted killing of clerics condemnable – Punch

January 26, 2023
I’m focused on my job, it’s God that anoints leaders – Emefiele
Public Affairs

Uncertainty over Emefiele bad for economy – Punch

January 25, 2023
Next Post

Fifth columnists hampering terror war - Punch

Passengers’ rights protected - Leadership

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Rousing the electorate from apathy – Vanguard

Elder statesman, Idatto Uzairue village Monarch-in-Waiting, Mallam Jibril Adamu Oshonebo, cautions politicians against heating up polity

by admin
January 28, 2023
0

...

AUN matriculates new students for Spring 2023 semester

AUN matriculates new students for Spring 2023 semester

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

...

CIVIC calls for probe into deadly airstrike in Nasarawa State

CIVIC calls for probe into deadly airstrike in Nasarawa State

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

...

Labour flares governors as states reject LG autonomy

Labour flares governors as states reject LG autonomy

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

...

ODDITIES

Nigerian kills compatriot in South Africa

Hoodlum stabs funeral guest for dating ex-wife

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

Why I married my daughter’s boyfriend – Kano woman

Why I married my daughter’s boyfriend – Kano woman

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

Family rejects old naira notes as bride price in Niger State

Family rejects old naira notes as bride price in Niger State

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

State of the States

Akeredolu brokers peace in Ondo community after 4-year crisis

Allow states to determine workers’ salaries, control resources, pay taxes to FG – Akeredolu advises

by admin
February 2, 2023
0

...

Edo PDP suspends Obaseki, Shaibu’s loyalists

Edo strengthens delivery of primary healthcare, to upgrade 55 PHCs

by admin
January 29, 2023
0

...

Osun guber: Supreme Court dismisses case against Adeleke

Gov. Adeleke hails overwhelming rejection of tribunal verdict by Osun people

by admin
January 29, 2023
0

...

Gov. Makinde signs €50m MoU with France for healthcare, education

Gov. Makinde signs €50m MoU with France for healthcare, education

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

...

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

August 3, 2022
Military will not rest until Book Haram is annihilated, says Army Chief

Shake-up in army

January 8, 2023
May Edochie finally speaks about husband’s second wife

I will not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, says May Edochie

December 24, 2022
Why I didn’t remarry — Patience Ozokwo

Why I didn’t remarry — Patience Ozokwo

January 20, 2023

Air Peace begins operations, offers airfare to Armed Forces personnel

170

Diezani breaks silence, reveals side of story in 3-part exclusive interview

26

FG’s N4trn contractual debts under Jonathan – National Mirror

21

2015: Washington Post condemns Jonathan for campaign slogan

20
Pope receives Merkel on farewell visit to Rome

Pope Mass in South Sudan: Pontiff urges people to reject ‘venom of hatred’

February 5, 2023
Prince Harry gets new job as tech start-up executive

How I took Prince Harry’s virginity, 40-year-old woman claims

February 5, 2023
Osimhen won’t be fit for AFCON, says surgeon

Man Utd, Chelsea, PSG battle to sign Osimhen

February 5, 2023
Elections: All police officers due for retirement must exit service – PSC

PSC appoints three DIGs, suspends CPs promotion

February 5, 2023

GLOBAL NEWS

Pope receives Merkel on farewell visit to Rome

Pope Mass in South Sudan: Pontiff urges people to reject ‘venom of hatred’

by The Citizen
February 5, 2023
0

...

Prince Harry gets new job as tech start-up executive

How I took Prince Harry’s virginity, 40-year-old woman claims

by The Citizen
February 5, 2023
0

...

Corporate America cuts off contributions to Trump-supporting Republican lawmakers

How Nigerian pastor’s wife was shot 12 times in US

by The Citizen
February 5, 2023
0

...

Sanctions: Iran offers discount on oil, gas to Asian market

Iran blames Israel for Isfahan drone attack, warning of revenge

by admin
February 2, 2023
0

...

Russian plane lands in US to pick diplomats expelled for espionage

West aiming to destroy Russia – Moscow

by The Citizen
February 2, 2023
0

...

EDITORIAL REVIEW

Avoidable deaths from container-laden trucks – Punch

Avoidable deaths from container-laden trucks – Punch

by admin
February 2, 2023
0

COVID-19: Security operatives foil attempted jailbreak in Kaduna

Governors should act on death row inmates – Punch

by admin
February 1, 2023
0

Electoral Act Amendment bill: Senators threaten to override Buhari as governors back President

State assemblies right to reject LG autonomy – Punch

by The Citizen
January 31, 2023
0

AMCON denies bid to seize Dangote refinery over debts

Refineries’ privatisation solution to current mess – Punch

by admin
January 27, 2023
0

Gunmen shoot traveller dead, burn vehicle in Enugu

Targeted killing of clerics condemnable – Punch

by admin
January 26, 2023
0

Opinion

Russia bans Facebook, Instagram platforms

Social media and solutions to political apathy

by admin
February 2, 2023
0

...

Understanding the Sheriff Oborevwori brand

Understanding the Sheriff Oborevwori brand

by admin
January 25, 2023
0

...

Gunmen attack FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Kogi

VIP protection: Advocating for mandatory bullet-proof vehicle for armed police escort

by admin
January 24, 2023
0

...

20 Years after, Alumni, community rally support for AUN Schools’ Improvement Project

20 Years after, Alumni, community rally support for AUN Schools’ Improvement Project

by admin
January 20, 2023
0

...

  • UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    UK licenses 266 Nigerian doctors in two months

    113 shares
    Share 45 Tweet 28
  • Shake-up in army

    59 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • I will not be cajoled into accepting polygamy, says May Edochie

    51 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 13
  • Why I didn’t remarry — Patience Ozokwo

    47 shares
    Share 19 Tweet 12
  • NNPC slashes petrol price for marketers to ease scarcity

    40 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2022 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.