The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has urged Nigerian universities to place greater emphasis on academic excellence rather than expanding student numbers, warning that higher institutions must not sacrifice quality in the pursuit of increased enrolment.
Key Highlights
- FUTA advocates quality over quantity in university admissions, urging institutions to prioritise academic excellence above rising enrolment figures.
- Professor Hope Eghagha warned that universities should be judged by the quality of graduates they produce, not the number of degrees awarded.
- He cautioned against turning higher institutions into “degree mills”, stressing the need to produce globally competitive graduates.
- Eghagha called for strategic funding, rigorous accreditation and capacity building to improve Nigeria’s higher education system.
- FUTA Registrar Charles Adeleye appealed to alumni, philanthropists and corporate organisations to support the university’s registry for improved administrative efficiency.
The call was made during the university’s 15th Registry Annual Lecture, held on Thursday, where Professor Hope Eghagha, a Professor of English Literature and Literary Analysis at the University of Lagos, delivered a lecture titled “Quality or Quantity: Rethinking Higher Education Administration in the 21st Century.”
Addressing participants, Eghagha stressed that universities should be judged by the calibre of graduates they produce instead of the volume of degrees awarded each year.
According to him, Nigeria’s higher education system must shift its focus towards developing graduates who possess the knowledge, skills and competence required to compete in an increasingly globalised economy.
He warned that institutions of higher learning risk losing their credibility if they continue to prioritise enrolment figures over academic standards.
“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.
“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.
“By prioritising strategic funding, rigorous accreditation and robust capacity building over unchecked enrolment, Nigerian higher education can overcome its current challenges and build a legacy of uncompromised excellence,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, FUTA Registrar Mr Charles Adeleye appealed to alumni, philanthropists and corporate organisations to partner with the university in strengthening the operations of its registry.
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He noted that sustaining efficient administrative services requires continuous investment and support, adding that external contributions would help the registry remain innovative and responsive to the changing demands of university administration.
“The effort required to keep the university’s administrative machinery functioning effectively has been enormous. We therefore appeal to public-spirited individuals, friends of the university and corporate organisations to support the registry.
“Such support will strengthen our capacity to remain dynamic, innovative and responsive to the evolving demands of university administration, ultimately improving service delivery,” Adeleye said.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to achieving its vision of becoming a globally recognised university of technology.
She said the university would continue to promote excellence in teaching, research and community service while encouraging meaningful discussions on policies and reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Oladiji added that FUTA remains committed to contributing practical solutions to the challenges facing tertiary education through continuous engagement with scholars, administrators and other stakeholders.
