Reps Demand Immediate Improvements for ABU, UI, and UNN

The Federal Government, headed by President Bola Tinubu, has been urged by the House of Representatives to act quickly to bring back the former splendor of Nigeria’s first-generation universities, such as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; the University of Ibadan; and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Aderemi Oseni (APC, Oyo) sponsored the motion that was adopted during Wednesday’s plenary session, which was followed by the resolution.

Legislators overwhelmingly supported the resolution, “Need to Upgrade First-Generation Universities and Investigate the Quality and Standards of TETFUND Projects Across Federal Universities in Nigeria.”

According to Oseni, the first-generation colleges, which were founded in the early 1960s, used to be the height of academic achievement, with top-notch facilities, highly skilled instructors, and an atmosphere that won praise from all over the world.

But their once-enviable status has been undermined by decades of neglect, insufficient support, and deteriorating infrastructure.

He bemoaned the state of these universities’ lecture halls, dorms, and auditoriums. On the other hand, once-thriving establishments like university zoos, which were previously popular tourist destinations, are either nonexistent or abandoned.

The member also voiced concern over the subpar Tertiary Education Trust Fund intervention projects, claiming that, in contrast to buildings constructed more than 60 years ago, many recently finished projects already exhibit signs of deterioration.

In response, in order to guarantee value for money and accountability in the use of public funds, the House decided to carry out a thorough examination of the caliber and standard of TETFund projects carried out in federal universities.

Additionally, lawmakers called on development partners, the National Universities Commission, the Federal Ministries of Education and Finance, and TETFund to work together on ways to improve and rehabilitate first-generation universities.

The House also ordered its Committees on University Education, TETFund, and other pertinent organizations to look into finished and continuing projects in the nation’s tertiary institutions, make sure that standards are being followed, and report back within four weeks for additional legislative action.

According to reports, the universities, which include ABU, UI, UNN, and others, are among Nigeria’s oldest and most esteemed federal establishments. They were mostly founded during the period of independence in the early 1960s.

At first, they were the standard for intellectual excellence in Africa, drawing students and scholars from other countries.

These institutions have endured “decades of neglect, poor funding, and infrastructural decay,” as the motion makes clear.

Their “once enviable status” has been lost as a result of this ongoing decline, which has also lowered their stature internationally and made it harder for them to compete.