Japa Hits Nigerian Universities – Lecturers Relocating Abroad In Record Numbers – ASUU Raises Alarm – NaijaGists.com

Japa Syndrome Hits Nigerian Universities-Lecturers Relocating Abroad In Record Numbers – ASUU Raises Alarm

Nigerian universities are grappling with a severe shortage of academic staff, as a significant number of lecturers are leaving the country in pursuit of better opportunities abroad. This exodus is compounded by the high rate of retirements, leaving many tertiary institutions understaffed and struggling to maintain quality education.

Interviews conducted by The PUNCH with various branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) confirm this trend. The shortage is attributed to a surge in lecturers’ exits from Nigeria and issues related to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

ASUU at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, reported approximately 100 lecturers had left the university. Similarly, the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara, disclosed a need for about 1,000 lecturers to fill vacancies created by departing staff. The situation is equally dire at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, with over 350 academic vacancies, and the University of Lagos, where 27 lecturers have left two faculties.

The problem extends to the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, where both academic and non-academic staff are leaving for foreign shores. Dr. Rotimi Olorunsola, Chairman of the university in Okitipupa, Ondo State, confirmed that numerous staff members, academic and non-academic, had left the university due to better opportunities abroad.

Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba Akoko also faces similar challenges, with Mr. Victor Akinpelumi, Head of Media and Protocol, acknowledging the departure of many university workers, though unable to provide specific numbers.

Dr. Ray Chikogu, Chairman of ASUU at the University of Benin, pointed out that the shortage of staff in UNIBEN and other universities is a long-standing issue exacerbated by the Federal Government’s embargo on employment. He criticized the government’s undue interference in university operations, especially regarding recruitment and promotion.

This crisis is not limited to academic staff. The Obafemi Awolowo University and its ASUU chapter also reported a shortage of both academic and non-academic members. Prof. Tony Odiwe, ASUU Chairman at OAU, lamented the poor treatment of academic staff and the dire need for a better working environment.

The Federal University of Kashere in Gombe State is also affected by this trend, with Dr. Shehu El-Rasheed, ASUU Chairman, noting the difficulty in filling vacancies due to bureaucratic bottlenecks. Senior professors are retiring without replacements, and many academic staff members are emigrating to countries like Malaysia, Oman, New Zealand, and the US.

The introduction of IPPIS by the Federal Government, aimed at solving issues of ghost workers and multiple salaries, has been met with resistance, especially in universities. This system hinders institutions from hiring staff even when they are critically understaffed.

The situation in Katsina State’s Umaru Musa Yar’adua University highlights the reliance on visiting lecturers and the additional burden on existing faculty due to staff inadequacy. Similarly, the ASUU Chairman of the Federal University, Dutsinma, Dr. Jibrin Shagari, spoke of the mass exodus affecting academic staff strength at FUDMA.

At the University of Jos, spokesman Abdullahi Abdullahi confirmed a significant manpower shortage since the last university recruitment in 2017. The institution’s ASUU Chairman, Dr. Jurbe Molwus, attributed the exodus of staff members to the introduction of IPPIS, worsening the plight of university lecturers in the country.

At the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Dr. Adeleye Oluwagbemiga, ASUU Chairman, stressed that government irresponsibility in funding universities is a major reason for inadequate academic staff. The university is currently handling a massive academic vacancy of over 350 positions.

AbdulRahman Adamu, ASUU Chairman of Federal University, Gusau, highlighted the problem of inadequate staff that has plagued the university for the last three years.

Nigerian universities are facing a crisis of brain drain and staff shortages, severely impacting the quality of education. The bureaucratic hurdles, lack of government funding, and better opportunities abroad are driving this trend, calling for urgent attention and action to address these challenges and ensure the sustainability of Nigeria’s higher education system.

The chronic shortage of academic staff in Nigerian universities is not just an administrative challenge; it reflects a deeper crisis in the country’s higher education system. The issue goes beyond mere numbers; it impacts the quality of education and research, the two core functions of these institutions.

At the University of Ilorin, approximately 500 academic positions are vacant, underscoring the scale of the problem. This shortage is not just about filling positions but also about maintaining academic standards and providing quality education to students.

The impact of this brain drain is far-reaching. For instance, the loss of experienced senior professors means a significant depletion of mentorship and research guidance for younger academics and students. The departure of these seasoned educators leaves a vacuum that is hard to fill, given the current constraints on recruitment and the lengthy bureaucratic processes involved.

Furthermore, the exodus of lecturers is compounded by the fact that those who remain are often overburdened with work. This overburdening leads to burnout, affecting their efficiency and the overall quality of teaching and research. As a result, students are the ultimate sufferers in this scenario, receiving education that may not meet the highest standards due to the stretched resources and faculties.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that many Nigerian academics are leaving for countries with better working conditions, remuneration, and opportunities for professional growth. Countries like Malaysia, Oman, New Zealand, and the United States are preferred destinations, offering more attractive career prospects compared to the stagnant and sometimes demotivating environment in Nigeria.

Adding to the woes is the controversial Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which was introduced to streamline payroll and personnel management. Instead of simplifying processes, IPPIS has become a roadblock in the efficient management of university staff, with its one-size-fits-all approach failing to consider the unique dynamics and needs of universities.

The leadership of the Obafemi Awolowo University, speaking through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, emphasized the institution’s struggle with the shortage of both academic and non-academic staff. The university administration is calling on the Federal Government to allow more autonomy in recruitment to address the gaping deficit in their workforce.

In Katsina State, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University’s reliance on visiting lecturers from nearby institutions highlights the interdependency that has arisen due to staff shortages. This reliance, while providing a temporary solution, is not sustainable in the long run as it overextends the resources of other universities and impacts the quality of education.

The situation in the Federal University, Dutsinma, as narrated by ASUU Chairman Dr. Jibrin Shagari, mirrors the national scenario. The university faces a decline in staff strength due to insecurity, overloaded work, non-living wages, and harsh economic conditions. This decline is a significant concern, as the university struggles to maintain its academic standards amidst these challenges.

In a broader context, this trend is part of the larger issue of brain drain that Nigeria is facing. The departure of skilled professionals in various fields to other countries in search of better opportunities is a major setback for the country’s development.

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. The government needs to prioritize the funding of universities to ensure they are well-staffed and equipped. Additionally, the bureaucratic bottlenecks in recruitment processes need to be streamlined to allow universities more autonomy in their hiring processes. There is also a need for a reassessment of the remuneration and working conditions of academic staff to make staying in Nigeria a more attractive option for them.

The staffing crisis in Nigerian universities is a call to action for all stakeholders involved. The government, university administrations, and the academic community must come together to find sustainable solutions to this issue. Investing in the country’s academic institutions is investing in its future, as these are the breeding grounds for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and professionals. The time to act is now, to reverse the trend of brain drain and build a robust and resilient higher education system in Nigeria.