Soludo sounds alarm on deteriorating standards of higher education in Nigeria

By Our correspondent

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed concern over the declining standards in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

He made this known during a courtesy visit from the new Governing Council members of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, led by Chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade.

Soludo lamented that many institutions have become “glorified secondary schools,” losing sight of their original purpose.

He emphasized the need for institutions to redefine their identity and purpose, citing the example of his own state’s efforts to recruit teachers from across the country to ensure quality education.

The Governor urged the Council to revamp Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and restore its former glory, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and technological development.

He congratulated the Council members on their appointment and expressed his willingness to collaborate with the institution.

Senator Gemade praised Governor Soludo’s innovative leadership style and expressed the Council’s commitment to working with the state government to promote technological advancement and academic excellence.

Soludo, “I knew it when it was Oko arts of science. It later changed to Anambra State and finally, Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

“It has grown in number and size, but you have a humongous task ahead of you.

“I look at the institution with mixed feelings of hope and opportunities but also of despair.

“We know where the dream was, but whether we are heading to the position, I don’t know.

“This is not peculiar to Federal Polytechnic, Oko. Most of our institutions are turning into glorified secondary school.

“We need to start asking the pivotal question of what our various individual institutions are known for. What comes to mind when our institutions are mentioned?

“Sadly, many of our institutions have gone down. We need to go back to the fundamental ideas of our forefathers.

“I’m still looking at the glass as half full.

“In our own Polytechnic here in Mgbakwu, I have a team reviewing their status. They will soon submit their report on whether the institution is fit for purpose.

“It is a general problem of our education, particularly tertiary education.

“I call them the “villagization” of our institutions, but I see Nigeria in terms of composition of members of the board.

“There is huge work to be done, to be able to rescue our education sector.

“I’ve seen university when it was universal, not minding where one came from but the value being added.

“Here in Anambra, we recruited 8115 teachers from 18 states of the country because the interest of the Anambra child is to be taught by the best teacher. We are already practising what we preach.

“Re-invent Federal Polytechnic, Oko. It has been villagized to a glorified high school.”I’ve seen how it works elsewhere and it pains me to see what is going on here.We have a job to rebuild because education remains the ladder of opportunities.

“In terms of strategic partnership with you, there is a whole lot we can do to assist you, though yours is a Federal Institution in Anambra State. Let’s do it together”; Governor Soludo added.

Earlier, Senator Gemade who was the former National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, described Governor Soludo as the most famous former Central Bank Governor in the history of the nation.

He explained that their visit was to officially inform him that they had assumed duty in the institution as members of the governing councils members

“As Governor of the CBN, you brought tremendous innovation and we have seen that in your style of governance.

“Part of our work in the institution is to ensure that we collaborate with your government.

“This council will ensure that the institution is close to your government in programmes of technological development. I am delighted to be here eith my members.

The meeting was attended by top government officials, including the Chief of Staff, Commissioner for Local Government, and the Acting Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko.