How Nigerian public varsities crumble as managers’ splurge

Nigeria’s public universities continue to struggle with declining academic standards, inadequate facilities and frequent disruptions. Yet, amid these challenges, concerns are growing over the extravagant lifestyles of some university managers, sparking debate about governance and the true causes of the sector’s crisis.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, a review of Nigeria’s 2026 budget indicates that Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, earmarked N252 million for the purchase of three luxury vehicles for top officials.

These vehicles are intended for the university’s pro-chancellor and two principal officers. Going by the report, the university plans to spend an average of N84 million on each vehicle.

Not less than N96 million was allocated by the institution for the completion and furnishing of the chancellor’s lodge.

Besides, another N21 million was set aside for the completion and furnishing of the pro-chancellor’s lodge.

The budget also makes provision for perimeter fencing of the university, which is projected to cost N105 million in the 2026 fiscal year. The fencing project is listed as part of the institution’s capital expenditure for the year.

Similarly, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was said to have expended a total of N773 million on honoraria and other stipends during the 2024 financial year, according to a review of the institution’s financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2024.

The report further revealed that the university spent an additional N240 million on refreshments and meals within the period, bringing total expenditure on honoraria, stipends, and refreshments to N1.013 billion in 2024.

Regrettably, only 10.7 percent (N83 million) of what was spent on honoraria (N773 million) was channelled to direct teaching and laboratory costs during the same year in view.

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Meanwhile, at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, there are other projects demanding for attention. The university allocated N350 million for the construction of the 7.5-kilometre Oloko–Amizi Road (Section II) located in Abia Central.

This project is captured as part of the university’s capital development plans for 2026, and the sum of N210 million for the construction of the Nkukunmiri Ala Ala–Okeuzo Oloko Road in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, among others.

Poor funding

Inadequate public funding remains a fundamental challenge for Nigerian universities. Government budgetary allocation to education consistently falls well below the UNESCO-recommended 26 percent, often around 7–8 percent, leading to a perennial funding gap in tertiary institutions.

Many public universities operate with dilapidated buildings, overcrowded lecture halls, and outdated or non-functional laboratories.

Practical exercises and experiential learning, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and medicine, are compromised due to equipment shortages.

In some cases, students watch demonstrations instead of gaining hands-on experience, which hinders skill acquisition.

Corruption in Nigeria’s Ivory Towers

Studies have shown that public universities’ funds intended for infrastructure, staff development, research, and student support are often mismanaged or misappropriated, reducing resources available for core academic functions.

A SERAP report documented issues such as contract inflation, falsified results, employment of unqualified staff, and sale of certificates across Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Friday Erhabor, director of media and strategies at Marklenez Limited describes the development as unfortunate

Erhabor emphasised it is rather regrettably that the government-owned tertiary institutions lack probity and accountability.

“They’re on one hand demand for autonomy and yet they lack transparency and accountability.

“A lot of public tertiary institutions don’t have audited report for more than five years. These are people that are supposed to be role models,” he said.

He noted that the Academic Staff Union of Universities should lead the fight against corruption in the university system and not just about increase in salaries.

“Let them fight in-house corruption within the university system,” he said.

Nigerian universities operate under severe financial constraints, with education funding far below international benchmarks. Extravagant spending on luxury vehicles, excessive allowances, and lavish ceremonies, among others will lead to diverting scarce resources that would have been used for teaching and learning infrastructure, research and innovation, and student support services.

In an environment of scarcity, every naira spent on non-essential items worsens institutional decay.