FUTA URGES QUALITY OVER QUANTITY IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

The Federal University of Technology, Akure, has called on Nigerian universities to prioritise quality over quantity in producing graduates, warning against turning higher institutions into “degree mills.”

The call was made on Thursday at the university’s 15th Registry Annual Lecture, where a Professor of English Literature and Literary Analysis at the University of Lagos, Hope Eghagha, delivered a lecture titled, “Quality or Quantity: Rethinking Higher Education Administration in the 21st Century.”

Eghagha said universities must focus on producing highly skilled and globally competitive graduates rather than merely increasing enrolment and graduation figures.

“Balancing the scale between educational expansion and academic excellence is the defining challenge of our time. In 21st-century Nigeria, the true measure of our universities’ success must shift entirely from merely producing large numbers of graduates to cultivating highly skilled, globally competitive professionals.
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‎”We cannot allow our institutions to become mere degree mills; instead, we must fiercely protect and elevate our educational standards, ensuring that every certificate awarded represents genuine expertise, innovation, and character.

‎”By prioritising strategic funding, rigorous accreditation, and robust capacity building over unchecked enrollment, Nigerian higher education can transcend its current growing pains and establish a legacy of uncompromised excellence,” he said.

Speaking at the event, the Registrar of FUTA, Mr Charles Adeleye, appealed to public-spirited individuals, alumni and corporate organisations to support efforts to strengthen the university’s registry.

“The effort involved in keeping the administrative machinery running efficiently and ensuring the continuity of this event has been huge. Against this backdrop, we respectfully appeal for the kind support of public-spirited individuals, friends of the University and well-meaning corporate organisations to further strengthen the registry.

“Such assistance will enable us to remain dynamic, innovative and responsive to the ever-evolving demands of university administration. We are confident that your partnership in this regard will significantly enhance our capacity for effective service delivery,” he stated.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said FUTA remained committed to becoming a world-class university of technology through excellence in teaching, research and service delivery.

She said the institution would continue to interrogate issues affecting higher education as part of efforts to improve the university system and the country’s education sector.