Outdated curricula stall Nigerian universities’ global relevance – Egbe

Etim Ekpimah

Curriculum reform that prioritises practical skills, innovation and global relevance has become imperative for Nigerian universities to remain competitive, Ambassador Gabriel Egbe has said.

Egbe, Registrar of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, Cross River State, stated this on Saturday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, noting that universities in the country are struggling for relevance due to outdated curricula.

According to him, institutions continue to deliver knowledge that is no longer aligned with present-day realities. He stressed that in a rapidly changing world, university leadership must embrace technology and digital transformation, overhaul obsolete curricula, and promote entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning. “A static university cannot serve a dynamic society,” he said.

Egbe spoke at the 6th Distinguished Registry Annual Lecture organised by the University of Uyo, themed “Leadership for Change: The Way Forward for University and Societal Transformation.” He observed that both Nigerian universities and the wider society suffer from a deficit of effective leadership.

He explained that societal transformation entails fundamental and positive changes in structures, values, systems and overall functioning, including economic development, social justice, technological advancement, good governance and ethical standards.

“Universities play a critical role in this transformation by producing knowledge, shaping minds, and influencing policy and practice,” he added.

The registrar identified key challenges confronting Nigeria’s university system, including poor budgetary allocation, weak leadership, political interference, resistance to change, infrastructural deficits, brain drain, frequent industrial actions, lack of accountability, ethnic bias and weak political will.

He emphasised that curriculum development must incorporate practical skills, emerging technologies and global competitiveness. However, many universities still rely heavily on traditional lecture-based teaching, with limited adoption of interactive and participatory methods. This disconnects from industry demands and global trends continues to produce graduates who struggle to meet labour market expectations, while also limiting innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Frequent industrial actions by staff unions further worsen the situation. These disruptions undermine confidence in the university system and distort academic calendars. Records indicate that since 1999, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has embarked on several prolonged strikes, including five months in 1999, six months in 2003, five months in 2013, nine months in 2020, and about eight months (234 days) in 2022. In total, there have been at least 17 nationwide strikes between 1999 and 2025. The consequences include prolonged study periods, disrupted research and weakened academic planning,” he revealed.

Egbe also highlighted the challenge of poor accountability within university management, noting that weak financial oversight and opaque administrative processes erode public trust and hinder development. While some university leaders demonstrate transparency by publishing financial records, many do not, leading to mismanagement of resources and abandoned projects.

He further decried the influence of ethnic considerations in recruitment, promotion and admissions, warning that such practices undermine meritocracy, foster division, and weaken institutional cohesion.

On the issue of governance, Egbe pointed to a lack of political will as a major impediment to reform. Despite widespread awareness of the challenges, he said there is often insufficient commitment to implementing meaningful changes. As a result, critical reforms in funding, autonomy and quality assurance are delayed or abandoned.

To address these challenges, he recommended leadership-driven strategies, including increased and diversified funding through government support, alumni contributions and public-private partnerships. He also called for strengthened institutional autonomy and merit-based appointments to reduce political interference.

He urged universities to embrace innovation by adopting modern teaching methods, digitalising operations and integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence into learning and administration. He stressed the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories and digital systems.

Egbe also advocated improved remuneration, better working conditions and expanded research opportunities to curb brain drain. He added that curriculum reform should align academic programmes with industry needs, promote interdisciplinary learning and equip students with problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.

He called for continuous dialogue between university management and staff unions to prevent industrial disputes, alongside stronger accountability systems to enhance transparency and public confidence. Promoting merit-based systems and national unity within institutions, he said, would further strengthen excellence.

Egbe explained that meaningful transformation requires strong political will, urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric and implement policies consistently and decisively.

“Nigerian universities must evolve into centres of innovation and problem-solving, capable of producing globally competitive graduates and driving national development,” he said.

He added that universities are not merely degree-awarding institutions, but engines of ideas, leadership and societal transformation, whose success or failure has far-reaching implications for the nation. The highlight of the event was the oath-taking by the administration staff of the University of Uyo.