ASUU is concerned about the increase in the number of top-notch graduates from private universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over the increasing number of top-notch graduates produced annually by private universities in Nigeria, describing the trend as worrying.

The National Chairman of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed these concerns on Thursday at an event organized to mark the successful tenure of Prof. Andy Egwunyenga as the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU).

Prof. Osodeke criticized the growing trend of private universities awarding numerous first-class degrees, stating that the practice could undermine academic integrity if adopted by public universities without proper regulation.

He also highlighted the decline in quality education at the primary level, citing primary and secondary schools that produce students with excellent grades but inadequate knowledge.

Brain drain and institutional failures

The ASUU President lamented the mass migration of skilled Nigerian professionals to other countries that offer better working conditions.
He linked this “mass exodus” to systemic issues, including the decline of educational and institutional standards.
He said incidents such as the collapse of buildings in the country indicated that there were significant problems within the national institutions.
Osodeke also called for renewed efforts by the union to address injustice and improve the welfare of academic staff.

“The struggle for academics to enjoy a decent standard of living has seen some degree of success in the past when academics have been able to live a comfortable life.

“The situation has changed; the unions must return to the front lines for a new phase of their struggle.

“ASUU will consistently speak out against injustice and support fairness,” he said.

Criticism of the CCMAS curriculum

Prof. Omotoye Olorode criticized the new university curriculum known as Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), describing it as a tool of neo-imperialism.
According to Olorode, the curriculum distorts Nigeria’s established academic framework and perpetuates dependence on developed countries.

“This curriculum is designed to ensure that Africans remain agricultural workers to meet the needs of developed countries. UNESCO recommends that 26% of the national budget be allocated to education, but Nigeria has never exceeded 7%, reflecting our stagnation and unwillingness to invest in education,” Olorode said.

What you need to know

ASUU’s concerns over the increasing number of first-class graduates in Nigeria have drawn attention to recent convocation ceremonies, with several private universities announcing that a significant number of students had achieved top honours.

While these are not the only universities involved, figures from institutions such as Salem University, Ajayi Crowther University and Benson Idahosa University highlight the growing trend.
Salem University, Lokoja, will graduate 499 students in its sixth convocation, with 41 earning first-class honors across its seven colleges.
Similarly, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, will confer degrees on 2,679 students at the 16th convocation ceremony, with 86 receiving first class distinction.
Benson Idahosa University, Benin, is celebrating its twentieth convocation where 77 out of 1,029 graduates will receive a first-class degree, marking the highest number of graduates in the history of the university.

These developments, while celebratory, add weight to ASUU’s call for stricter academic standards and regulatory measures to ensure that the integrity of Nigerian university degrees is maintained.