Federal Government Urges Universities to Align Outcomes with National Productivity

The Federal Government has called on Nigerian universities to align educational outcomes with national productivity, emphasizing the importance of focusing on research innovation and entrepreneurship among graduates. Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, highlighted the need to reduce dependence on white-collar jobs during a meeting with a delegation from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU).

Minister Mamman stressed the urgency of overhauling Nigeria's higher education system to bring it in line with global standards. He identified challenges facing the higher education sector, including inadequate funding, corruption, infrastructural deficiencies, staff shortages, strike actions, brain drain, poor research, weak governance, and insecurity.

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Addressing the delegation led by Mr. Chris Maiyaki, the acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, Minister Mamman stated, "The higher education landscape in Nigeria requires a total overhaul so that it can effectively put Nigeria universities and other levels of tertiary institutions at par with others around the globe."

The Minister assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to improving the country's educational system. He highlighted President Tinubu's business-like approach to governance, emphasizing quarterly performance reviews for all ministers. The Ministry of Education, under his watch, aims to address fundamental structural issues from primary to tertiary education, working with stakeholders to transform the sector.

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Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusut Tanko Sununu, expressed the government's commitment to addressing security challenges affecting Nigerian universities. He specifically referenced the recent kidnapping of students at the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State.

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, represented by Professor Lilian Salami, commended Minister Mamman on his appointment as the first vice chancellor to become the Minister of Education. She highlighted key challenges faced by universities, including funding, staff recruitment, autonomy, conflicting university laws, and ongoing industrial disputes with university-based unions.

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Professor Salami presented the committee's study report on 'Opportunities and Sustainable Models for Nigerian Federal Universities,' offering insights to address challenges faced by public and private universities in Nigeria.