Low Ranking Of Nigerian Universities: President Buhari Reacts

23rd Jan. 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed worry over the low ranking on Nigerian universities in the world.

The President who was represented by Prof. Julius Okojie said this at the convocation ceremony of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi on Saturday, January 23.

Vanguard reports that the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission said the country cannot afford to rank low if it wants to be among the top oeconomies in the world.

“It is worrisome that no Nigerian university is quoted among the top 100 universities in the world.

“We rank below a thousand, if we do not aspire to be among the world class universities, we cannot boast of robust system capable of making the country among the top economies of the world.

“We have abundance of talents who excel elsewhere but appear incapacitated at home. This is unacceptable.

“Whatever makes our abundant talents fail at home and excel abroad must be identified and neutralised for our benefit and that of our future generation,

“The repercussions of strike usually retard the smooth running of academic activities with heavy negative consequences’’.

He urged state governments to encourage the development of the universities in their place

“The seemingly challenges especially in tertiary institutions should be seen as a teething problem that will gradually vanish as the policy takes roots. MDAs should, therefore, exhibit patience and understanding, bearing in mind that Nigerians shall surely reap from the fruits of the policy,’’