Some Nigerian university students have called for urgent reforms to improve the quality of university education in the country.
The students, who spoke in separate interviews with our reporter in Abuja, said Nigerian universities had the potential to produce graduates capable of competing globally, but several challenges continued to affect the quality of education.
They cited poor infrastructure, inadequate practical training and limited preparation for employment after graduation as some of the factors bedeviling the country’s university education system.
“In my opinion, the Nigerian education system, particularly at the university level, has great potential but still faces many challenges.
“Nigerian universities have qualified lecturers and students with the ability to excel.
“But issues of inadequate facilities, poor funding and frequent academic disruptions are holding us back,” said Ewache Nelson, a 100-level Public Administration student at Benue State University, Makurdi.
Nelson identified the high cost of education, poor internet access, limited accommodation and unreliable electricity as some of the challenges affecting students.
He called for increased funding, improved infrastructure and stronger partnerships between universities and industries.
“Universities should also strengthen practical and vocational training, encourage research and innovation, improve teaching methods, and make administrative processes more efficient,” he stated.
He added that more internship opportunities, entrepreneurship programmes and career guidance should be introduced to better prepare students for employment and life after graduation.
Ogebe Judge, a 200-level student of the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), described the education system as “severely lacking in many aspects.”
According to Judge, “the curriculum is outdated and rigid,” while federal and state universities were overcrowded and private universities remained expensive for many Nigerians.
He also said the rising cost of living was forcing some students to take up jobs while studying.
“Most students don’t have enough money to survive and due to the ever-rising cost of living, they have to work to sustain themselves while in school, which often affects their academic performance,” he said.
Judge said universities were not adequately preparing students for employment, noting that graduates needed practical and workplace skills beyond academic qualifications.
“The skills required to find and maintain sustainable employment in Nigeria today aren’t taught at most universities,” he said.
He called for curriculum reforms, affordable education, more job opportunities, food and transport subsidies, as well as skills and career training for students.
Mojeed Davies, a 400-level Chemistry student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), said the Nigerian education system had produced many brilliant graduates but still had limitations.
“The education system is good. You can see from the number of brilliant and incredible ones that graduated and are doing well globally.
“However, there are some limitations to how far the system could go,” Davies said.
Davies called for improved digital infrastructure and a shift from predominantly theoretical teaching to more practical learning.
“We are in the modern era where students spend ridiculous amounts on data in order to get access to free resources that could help their studies online,” he said.
He also said students needed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills to prepare for life after graduation.
Okpalanedu Martha, a 400-level student of Development and Strategic Communication Studies at the University of Abuja, described the situation as worrisome, citing poor learning environments, inadequate hostel accommodation and the high cost of living.
Martha called for more scholarships, business grants, skills-development opportunities and better conditions for students and lecturers.
She also made a case for better working conditions for university lecturers, arguing that their salaries were not commensurate with the work they put in.
On preparation for employment, Martha said her industrial training had exposed her to realities beyond the classroom.
“As a student that just completed her IT training, I saw life way beyond school walls, and that’s huge for me ,” she said, calling for more practical exposure for students.
Olorunloju Naomi, a 200-level Mass Communication student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), advocated a robust orientation programme for prospective students.
“Students should be made aware of what they are getting into. Orientation should be done even before they gain admission,” she stated.
Naomi said universities were not fully preparing students for employment and life after graduation.
“Nigerian universities provide academic knowledge but students also need more practical skills and career guidance to prepare them for employment and life after graduation,” she said.
The students urged government and university authorities to improve infrastructure, reduce the financial burden on students, strengthen practical learning and provide better opportunities for skills development.
They also called for improved career guidance and stronger links between universities and industries to help students acquire relevant skills and experience before graduation.
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