Future of Nigeria’s education sector lies with private varsities, says ex-VC of NOUN

Olugbemiro Jegede, the former vice-chancellor (VC) of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), says the future of Nigeria’s education sector lies in the hands of private universities.

Jegede spoke at the 2023 convocation lecture of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) in Oyo state.

The ex-VC argued that Nigeria’s education sector faces challenges due to reliance on what he described as an outdated education policy.

During the lecture titled “What is in a name”, Jegede said the education system in Nigeria has been “placed on the reverse throttle without back or side mirrors” due to political interference in university establishment.

“Our secondary school graduates can best be described as half-baked illiterates who constitute a danger to the society and to themselves,” the academic said.

“Nigeria has regressed into a nation where mediocrity is allowed to lead where we have intelligent people.

“I am told that when you ask any child what they want to become, they say, footballer, yahoo-yahoo person, kidnapper/bandits, comedian or LGA chairman: the easiest way out of illiteracy to make easy money in Nigeria.”

Jegede said Nigeria must redraft its education policy which he described as a 19th-century tool employed to solve 21st-century challenges.

The ex-VCs said this would address the deficits holding the sector back.

He called on the government to pay attention to private universities.

In his words, they’re critical to solving the challenge of accessing higher education in Africa.