The Nigerian Universities Registrars (ARNU) has expressed concern over the failure of Nigerian universities to rank among the top global institutions.
The association raised these issues during the 3rd Registrars Workshop and 77th Business Meeting at Kaduna State University (KASU) on Wednesday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), ARNU Chairman, Dr. Bala Ahmed, addressed the challenges that Nigerian universities face in improving their global standing. He highlighted issues such as technological advancements, underfunding, and disruptions in academic schedules as factors preventing Nigerian universities from competing at the highest levels.
Challenges Facing Nigerian Universities
Ahmed pointed out several key factors affecting the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities. He cited technological trends as one of the major issues that hinder the institutions’ abilities to excel in teaching, research, and innovation. He also noted the negative impact of chronic underfunding and outdated infrastructure on universities’ performance.
Another challenge is the continued brain drain, with many top academics leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. This, along with low research output and limited visibility in international academic publications, has contributed to the struggle of Nigerian universities to improve their rankings.
Additionally, Ahmed mentioned the lack of international collaborations and institutional partnerships, as well as frequent disruptions to academic calendars, often caused by industrial actions.
Role of Registrars in University Governance
The gathering aimed to find solutions to the challenges hindering university rankings. Registrars, being central to university governance, play a vital role in steering universities toward improvement.
Ahmed noted the need for registrars to adopt a more intentional and strategic approach to governance. He noted that their role in shaping academic policies is crucial for fostering institutional excellence.
The workshop also focused on the increasing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. Ahmed stressed that universities worldwide are integrating AI into teaching and research, and Nigerian universities must follow suit to remain competitive.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness about AI and its potential applications in Nigerian universities.
Efforts to Improve Nigerian Universities’ Global Visibility
Ahmed indicated that the workshop would review the global ranking criteria used by major ranking bodies and suggest alternative approaches that would make Nigerian universities more competitive. The goal is to ensure that Nigerian institutions are better represented and recognised in global rankings.
The host registrar, Samira Balarabe, echoed the need for unity among university administrators. She called for greater consistency across Nigerian universities and emphasised the importance of government support to address infrastructural challenges and keep up with global educational trends.
Institutional Progress and Government Support
The Vice-Chancellor of KASU, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, discussed the university’s efforts to achieve excellence by establishing a unique identity and collaborating with various stakeholders. He highlighted KASU’s success in offering specialised programs such as Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Islamic Economics and Finance, and Logistics and Supply Chain Management, which are firsts in Nigeria.
He stated that the university’s commitment to excellence goes beyond competition and aims to create impactful change in addressing global challenges such as poverty and security.
Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), emphasised the importance of registrars in university governance. Represented by Adewale Bakare, NUC’s Deputy Director of Corporate Services, Ribadu assured the participants of the commission’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives for Nigerian universities. He urged registrars to engage in discussions that would help improve the administrative frameworks of Nigerian institutions in line with global best practices.
Ribadu also encouraged participants to explore innovative solutions that would help elevate the standards of Nigerian universities and contribute to the country’s educational growth.
