ASUU Criticizes Rise in First-Class Graduates from Private Universities

ASUU has raised concerns over the rising number of first-class graduates from private universities, warning of its potential to undermine academic standards while also criticizing systemic issues like brain drain and inadequate support for education in Nigeria.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over the increasing number of first-class graduates emerging annually from private universities in Nigeria.

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, raised this issue on Thursday during an event held to celebrate the tenure of Prof. Andy Egwunyenga as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. The event was hosted at the DELSU campus in Abraka, Delta State.

Prof. Osodeke warned that if public universities begin adopting similar practices without proper regulation, it could undermine the integrity of academic standards in the country. He noted that this trend is compounded by primary and secondary schools producing students with excellent grades but insufficient knowledge.

Additionally, Osodeke criticized the mass emigration of skilled Nigerian professionals to countries offering better working and living conditions. He linked this “brain drain” to incidents such as frequent building collapses, highlighting deeper systemic issues within the nation’s institutions.

“In the past, academics could enjoy a decent standard of living, but the situation has deteriorated. ASUU must reignite its fight for fairness and justice in the academic sector,” Osodeke said.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PULSE