We have reached the point where the NUC may have to mandate all lecturers to prepare their lecture notes in modules for online delivery. Of course, lecturers should be trained in the use of ICT for the delivery of online teaching. In the same vein, university ICT departments should be manned by real professionals. There should be a new focus on ICT development in all learning institutions.
Nigeria’s educational sector is poorly funded, although our leaders may have a different view. A total of N3.9 trillion was budgeted for the whole sector in ten years . Compare this to Harvard’s total funding value of $40.9 billion for the 2019 fiscal year alone and you have an idea of what it takes to run a world class university. Before I am accused of comparing apples and oranges, let me state that the problem in Nigeria’s educational system goes beyond underfunding.
The National Assembly committee had visited the University for the usual “oversight functions.” Ordinarily, the essence of such visits is to, among others, monitor and evaluate government projects to ensure that funds are being well utilised. But, apparently, some lawmakers have turned such oversight functions into money-making ventures. This is why they shamelessly fight over what they describe as ‘juicy’ committees.
So, to convert the current crisis to gain, government should focus on developing and deploying ICT to learning in Nigerian schools and its higher institutions. There should be enough ICT facilities in our higher institutions. Government and higher institutions could work with donor agencies to provide laptops for indigent students. There is no reason why government should not provide ICT tools for its lecturers. Laptops are mere work tools.