Not too long ago, Nigerian universities were continental powerhouses, renowned for academic excellence and drawing students from across Africa and beyond. But those days now feel like a distant memory.
In recent decades, Nigerian tertiary institutions have slipped in global rankings, weighed down by infrastructural decay, outdated curricula, and limited international appeal.
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But the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, believes the institution is laying the groundwork to restore Nigeria’s lost academic glory and possibly make it a competitive destination for international students once again.
Diagnosing the Decline
In an interview with TheCable, Echono does not shy away from acknowledging the problem. “The reason we have dropped in rankings,” he notes, “is due to certain practices or deficiencies that we have identified and evaluated ourselves.”
Among these, he emphasises the importance of adapting to global academic trends, particularly the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
“To remain competitive, you must meet specific standards,” Echono says, pointing to the growing dominance of hybrid learning systems and the global normalization of online education.
TETFund’s Tech-Driven Strategy
Recognising this shift, TETFund has zeroed in on ICT infrastructure as a transformative tool. From digitising libraries to enabling seamless online learning, the agency is investing in systems that allow students and faculty to tap into vast digital resources with ease.
“You can access 1,000 books in one day, as many as you wish, at the click of a button,” Echono says. But that, he adds, “requires access to this technology.”
To that end, TETFund has launched the Tertiary Education Research and Applications Systems (TERAS), a digital platform aggregating educational resources, anti-plagiarism tools, and a biometric-based identity system known as BIMS. These tools are designed to onboard students and lecturers alike, creating an interconnected academic environment conducive to modern learning.
From Classrooms to Innovation Hubs
But technology alone is not the answer. Echono emphasizes a paradigm shift from traditional rote learning to a more skills- and innovation-driven model. “This formal education in our classroom, where we read books and pass exams, is fading,” he asserts. In its place, he sees a future defined by creativity, entrepreneurship, and practical knowledge.
To support this transition, TETFund is building innovation hubs across campuses, alongside state-of-the-art laboratories and multi-regional research centres.
According to Echono, six such centres are being established across Nigeria, four of which are already under construction. These centres aim to reduce the need for students and researchers to go abroad for advanced study or sample testing. “We do it all locally,” he affirms.
A Vision for Global Competitiveness
All of this feeds into a broader vision: to reposition Nigerian universities as globally competitive institutions capable of attracting foreign students. “We want them to become globally competitive,” Echono says. “We aim to attract students from around the world to return here, as they did in the 1960s, especially from across Africa.”
This is an ambitious goal. While infrastructure and innovation are necessary conditions, they may not be sufficient on their own. To truly compete with the top destinations on the continent and even globally, Nigerian universities must also overcome security concerns, administrative inefficiencies, and erratic academic calendars caused by frequent strikes.
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Yet, Echono’s remarks suggest a recognition that the rebuilding process must begin from within. By modernising the academic environment and aligning with global standards, TETFund may be planting seeds for long-term transformation, even if the full harvest is still years away.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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