Nigerian Universities and National Assembly: An Embarrassment in Need of Urgent Reform

Chief Osita Chidoka, a former Nigerian Minister of Aviation and founder of the Athena Center for Policy and Leadership, has sounded a clarion call for reform in Nigeria’s political and educational systems. Drawing from a recent report by his think tank, Athena Center, Chidoka labels Nigerian universities a “national embarrassment” due to their poor management and shocking lack of transparency.

He argues that this crisis is not isolated but mirrors a broader systemic breakdown across Nigeria, including in the National Assembly.

Nigerian Universities: A Bastion of Opacity

Nigerian universities, tasked with shaping the nation’s future leaders, are failing miserably, according to Chidoka. The Athena Center’s report reveals them as among the least transparent educational institutions globally.

Unlike universities in Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa where funding details, including government allocations, research grants, and school fees, are publicly accessible, Nigerian universities operate in a “black hole of secrecy”.

Information on how much they receive from federal or state governments, or even internally generated revenue, is unavailable. Chidoka questions, “How much does it cost to train a graduate in Nigeria?”

According to him, this lack of transparency breeds mismanagement and underfunding. Despite substantial federal allocations, some universities reportedly receive billions of naira annually, yet there is no accountability for how these funds are spent.

Based on his visitation panel’s report to evaluate the performance of Nigerian universities, it reveals that the IGR and expenses by Nigerian Universities are hidden from public view, with the universities having no record of such. The consequences are stark, Chidoka stated. “Crumbling infrastructure, underpaid staff, and an education system that fails to attract donations or investment.” Warning that this opacity not only hampers progress but tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.

A Systemic Breakdown Beyond Education

The crisis in Nigerian universities is a symptom of a deeper malaise, Chidoka asserts. The same lack of transparency and accountability permeates other institutions, notably the National Assembly. He describes this as a “systemic breakdown” that undermines governance across the country. From opaque government transactions to the absence of clear financial reporting in public agencies, Nigeria is trapped in a cycle of poor governance. Chidoka cites the involvement of university professors as electoral returning officers as a case in point. If universities lack transparency, he argues, it’s no surprise that these academics replicate the same flaws in public office, further eroding trust in the system.

The National Assembly: Failing the People

Chidoka accuses the National Assembly of abandoning its institutional responsibility to represent citizens, instead serving the interests of the government of the day. He points to its reliance on voice votes rather than recorded votes as a glaring example of its lack of transparency. “I want to know how my representative voted on important national issues,” he insists.

Moreover, the National Assembly has “devalued itself” by flouting its own rules, Chidoka says. He references its handling of the state of emergency in Rivers State, where a proper vote was bypassed in favor of a chaotic voice vote. This not only undermines democratic legitimacy but also signals a lack of respect for the institution and the people it serves. Chidoka laments that such behavior—coupled with instances of lawmakers abusing the public reflects a broader disconnect between the Assembly and Nigerians.

The Urgent Need for Reform

Chidoka’s solution is clear: Nigeria must overhaul its political and educational systems, starting with transparency and accountability. For universities, this means making funding and expenditure data publicly available, akin to practices in other African nations. Such openness could attract alumni donations and private investment, revitalizing the sector. For the National Assembly, reform demands adherence to democratic principles, recorded votes, public engagement, and a focus on constituents over political loyalty.

Beyond these institutions, Chidoka calls for a national emergency on transparency, urging the government to disclose how agencies manage funds and to enforce systems like the Treasury Single Account (TSA). He also stresses the need for electoral reform to ensure fair representation and governance. Without these changes, he warns, Nigeria risks “renewed hopelessness” rather than the promised “renewed hope.”

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