The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced concerns about the increasing number of first-class degrees being awarded by private universities in Nigeria. The union described the trend as alarming and potentially detrimental to the credibility of the country’s higher education system.
Concerns About Academic Integrity
Speaking during an event honoring Prof. Andy Egwunyenga’s tenure as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, criticized the trend. He warned that the proliferation of first-class graduates, particularly in private institutions, could undermine academic standards if not properly regulated.
“This rising number of first-class degrees being churned out by private universities raises questions about academic integrity. If public universities begin to adopt the same pattern without proper oversight, it could erode the credibility of our degrees,” Osodeke cautioned.
He also highlighted declining educational quality at the primary and secondary school levels, noting that students often achieve excellent grades but lack the foundational knowledge necessary for higher education success.
Brain Drain and Institutional Failures
Prof. Osodeke also addressed the ongoing brain drain in Nigeria, citing the mass migration of skilled professionals seeking better working conditions abroad. He linked this trend to systemic failures, including inadequate investment in education and the decline of institutional standards.
“This brain drain reflects the challenges facing our institutions. Incidents such as building collapses in the country further expose the weaknesses in our educational and professional systems,” he noted.
Osodeke called for renewed efforts to improve the welfare of academic staff and address injustices in the education sector. “ASUU will remain steadfast in advocating for fairness and speaking out against systemic failures,” he added.
Criticism of CCMAS Curriculum
Another prominent speaker, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, criticized the recently introduced Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for universities. He described the curriculum as a tool of neo-imperialism, arguing that it disrupts Nigeria’s academic framework and fosters dependency on developed nations.
“The CCMAS curriculum is designed to keep Africa as a supplier of agricultural labor to developed nations. While UNESCO recommends that 26% of national budgets be allocated to education, Nigeria has never exceeded 7%. This reflects our failure to prioritize education,” Olorode explained.
Rising Number of First-Class Graduates
ASUU’s concerns are heightened by recent data from convocation ceremonies at private universities:
- Salem University, Lokoja: Of 499 graduating students, 41 earned first-class honors during the 6th convocation ceremony.
- Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo: At its 16th convocation, 86 out of 2,679 students were awarded first-class degrees.
- Benson Idahosa University, Benin: During its 20th convocation, the university celebrated 77 first-class graduates out of 1,029 students, marking a record for the institution.
Calls for Stricter Regulation
While these achievements are noteworthy, ASUU has reiterated the need for stricter academic standards to maintain the integrity of Nigerian university degrees. The union believes that regulatory measures are essential to ensure that the awarding of first-class degrees reflects true academic excellence and is not driven by institutional competition or commercialization.
The growing disparity in academic standards between public and private universities continues to fuel debates about the future of Nigeria’s education system and the urgent need for reforms.
