Nation In Sh*ck: Federal Lawmakers Raise Red Flag Over Mass Resignation Of Nigerian Academics

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has expressed grave concern over the mass exodus of lecturers and non-academic staff from Nigerian universities, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the nation’s higher education system.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The alarm was raised following the committee’s recent oversight visit to universities in the South East region.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, described the situation as “abnormal and dangerous,” noting that many universities are losing staff through retirement or death without corresponding replacements to fill the gaps.

Citing the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, as a case study, Fulata revealed that the institution has lost more than 3,000 teaching and non-teaching staff members since 2019 — yet has received approval to hire only about 500 replacements.

According to him, such vacancies threaten to cripple academic operations if urgent action is not taken.

He emphasized that the committee and the 10th House of Representatives remain committed to revitalizing Nigeria’s university system, adding that their oversight tour was aimed at assessing the realities on the ground.

Fulata also charged university authorities to strictly adhere to the federal character principle in all staff appointments and recruitment exercises, lamenting that several institutions had failed to comply.

He said:

“It is not normal to see lecturers and non-academic staff exiting the system through retirement or death without replacement.
It is equally unhealthy for the system when thousands leave and approval is granted to recruit only a few hundred.

My appeal to governing councils, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other relevant agencies is to ensure our universities function efficiently and that vacancies are promptly filled.”