Former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Wande Abimbola, has lamented the meagre salaries of Nigerian university professors and the worsening state of nation universities, warning that the country’s higher institutions risk collapse if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking as a guest on Boiling Point Arena, the former Senate Majority Leader described the salaries of Nigerian professors as “a pittance,” stressing that the academic profession has been reduced to poverty.
Professors’ Salaries Compared to U.S. Gardeners
Prof. Abimbola disclosed that a full professor in Nigeria currently earns about ₦500,000 monthly, which, when converted, is roughly $300.
“Recently, about two years ago, I went back to the University where I was the VC. I visited my Department, and I was told that a full professor earns about ₦500,000 monthly. When we converted the amount, this is almost equivalent to the $300 academics elsewhere in the United States will use to take care of his garden within just three hours,” he lamented.
He said the situation has left academics demoralized, with many struggling to survive on the meagre pay.
Decline of Nigerian Universities
The former OAU VC recalled that during his tenure in 1989, Nigerian universities were still strong and ranked among the top globally. However, he said the system began to deteriorate within a decade and has since worsened.
“Our institutions were still at their peak of quality. However, within five years or less than ten years after my exit, I visited the University and almost cried because of what I saw, the level of decadence. It has been getting worse since then,” he said.
Abimbola faulted the Federal and State Governments for creating new universities while failing to fund existing ones. He argued that if the authorities are unwilling to support universities, “they should wind them up” instead of letting them rot.
Call for Urgent Intervention
The former VC urged the Federal Government to immediately establish a Commission of Inquiry to recommend measures to rescue the system.
“The most important thing about university is funding. We need to ask our governments, both at the federal and state levels, why they have been aloof and looking on until things got this bad. I think the best thing we can do now is to urgently set up a Commission of Inquiry on what we can really do to salvage the system and make things better,” he said.
Prof. Abimbola concluded by expressing dismay over the decline in global rankings of Nigerian universities, saying that institutions once rated among the top 500 in the world and top 11 in Africa have now fallen behind.
“Nigerian universities are slowly dying before our very eyes. It is a big shame,” he stated.