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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over the increasing number of first-class graduates produced annually by private universities in Nigeria, describing the trend as worrisome.
ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, raised these concerns on Thursday during an event organized in honour of Prof. Andy Egwunyenga’s successful tenure as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU).
According to him, primary and secondary schools nowadays are producing graduates with excellent grades with insufficient knowledge.
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Osodeke said that, if public universities adopt the same practice without regulation, it could lead to the decline of genuine academic pursuits.
The union leader also decried what he called “the mass exodus” of skilled Nigerian workers to nations perceived to be offering better work and living conditions.
He said that incidents, like building collapse in the country, indicated there were significant issues within the nation’s institutions.
“The struggle for academics to enjoy a decent standard of living saw some measure of successes in the past when academics could sustain a comfortable life.
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“The situation has changed, the unions must return to the frontline for a renewed phase of their struggle.
“ASUU will consistently speak out against injustices and support fairness,” he said.
A member of the union, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, spoke on the topic: “New University Curricula (CCMAS): Context and Matters Arising”.
According to Olorode, the curriculum disrupts Nigeria’s established academic framework and perpetuates dependency on developed nations.
“This curriculum is designed to ensure Africans remain agricultural labourers to support the needs of developed countries. UNESCO recommends allocating 26% of the national budget to education, but Nigeria has never exceeded 7%, reflecting our stagnation and reluctance to invest in education,” Olorode stated.
ASUU’s concerns about the increasing number of first-class graduates in Nigeria have drawn attention to recent convocation ceremonies, where several private universities announced a significant number of students earning top honours.
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While these are not the only universities involved, the figures released by institutions like Salem University, Ajayi Crowther University, and Benson Idahosa University highlight the growing trend.
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Salem University, Lokoja, is set to graduate 499 students during its 6th convocation, with 41 earning first-class honours across its seven colleges.
Similarly, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, will confer degrees on 2,679 students at its 16th convocation ceremony, with 86 receiving first-class honours.
Benson Idahosa University, Benin, will celebrate its 20th convocation, where 77 of its 1,029 graduates will receive first-class degrees, marking the highest number of graduates in the university’s history.
These developments, while celebratory, add weight to ASUU’s calls for stricter academic standards and regulatory measures to ensure that the integrity of Nigerian university degrees is maintained.
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