FUTA urges quality over quantity in university education

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has called on Nigerian universities to shift their focus from increasing graduate numbers to ensuring the quality of education provided. Speaking at FUTA's 15th Registry Annual Lecture, Professor Hope Eghagha of the University of Lagos warned against institutions becoming "degree mills."

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Balancing the scale between educational expansion and academic excellence is the defining challenge of our time. In 21st-century Nigeria, the true measure of our universities’ success must shift entirely from merely producing large numbers of graduates to cultivating highly skilled, globally competitive professionals.

Eghagha, a Professor of English Literature and Literary Analysis, stressed that universities must prioritize producing highly skilled and globally competitive graduates. He stated, "The true measure of our universities’ success must shift entirely from merely producing large numbers of graduates to cultivating highly skilled, globally competitive professionals." He urged institutions to protect and elevate educational standards, ensuring each certificate represents genuine expertise and character.

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We cannot allow our institutions to become mere degree mills; instead, we must fiercely protect and elevate our educational standards, ensuring that every certificate awarded represents genuine expertise, innovation, and character.

To achieve this, Eghagha recommended prioritizing strategic funding, rigorous accreditation, and robust capacity building over unchecked enrollment. He believes this approach will help Nigerian higher education overcome current challenges and establish a legacy of "uncompromised excellence."

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By prioritising strategic funding, rigorous accreditation, and robust capacity building over unchecked enrollment, Nigerian higher education can transcend its current growing pains and establish a legacy of uncompromised excellence.

During the event, FUTA's Registrar, Mr. Charles Adeleye, appealed for support from public-spirited individuals, alumni, and corporate organizations to enhance the registry's efficiency. He noted the significant effort required to maintain administrative operations and ensure the continuity of events like the annual lecture. The university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, reaffirmed FUTA's commitment to becoming a world-class technology university through excellence in teaching, research, and service delivery, and its dedication to addressing issues affecting higher education.

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The effort involved in keeping the administrative machinery running efficiently and ensuring the continuity of this event has been huge. Against this backdrop, we respectfully appeal for the kind support of public-spirited individuals, friends of the University and well-meaning corporate organisations to further strengthen the registry.