The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced concerns about the increasing number of first-class graduates emerging from private universities in Nigeria.
ASUU’s National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, described the trend as troubling, warning that it could compromise academic integrity if adopted by public universities without adequate regulation.
Speaking at an event honouring Professor Andy Egwunyenga’s successful tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Professor Osodeke criticised the proliferation of first-class degrees in private institutions.
He expressed apprehension that the practice might devalue academic standards and highlighted foundational issues in primary and secondary education, which produce students with impressive grades but inadequate knowledge.
Professor Osodeke also raised concerns about the mass migration of skilled Nigerian professionals to countries offering better working conditions.
He linked this “mass exodus” to systemic failures, including declining educational and institutional standards, which he argued were reflected in incidents such as building collapses.
He urged renewed efforts by the union to address injustices and improve the welfare of academic staff, stating that “the unions must return to the frontlines for a renewed phase of their struggle.”
Professor Omotoye Olorode criticised the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), describing it as a “tool of neo-imperialism” that disrupts Nigeria’s academic framework and perpetuates dependency on developed nations.
According to him, the curriculum undermines local academic autonomy, with Nigeria’s failure to allocate adequate funding to education exacerbating the problem.
He noted, “UNESCO recommends allocating 26% of the national budget to education, but Nigeria has never exceeded 7%, reflecting our stagnation and reluctance to invest in education.”
Recent convocation ceremonies at private universities have highlighted the issue of increasing first-class graduates. Institutions like Salem University, Ajayi Crowther University, and Benson Idahosa University have announced significant numbers of first-class graduates.
For instance, Salem University, Lokoja, awarded 41 first-class honours out of 499 graduates during its sixth convocation.
Similarly, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, conferred 86 first-class degrees among 2,679 graduates at its 16th convocation, while Benson Idahosa University, Benin, celebrated 77 first-class graduates from a total of 1,029 students at its 20th convocation, marking a record for the institution.
These figures underline ASUU’s call for stricter regulatory measures to safeguard the integrity of Nigerian university degrees and uphold academic standards.
