Corporatisation of universities: Nigerian experience

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The university system in Nigeria, especially private institutions, is undergoing a significant transformation. The traditional emphasis

on pure knowledge acquisition is giving way to a more market-driven approach. Many people see this shift as a pragmatic response to contemporary economic realities, ensuring graduates possess skill sets readily absorbed by the industrial sector.

However, this emphasis on producing graduates with job-ready capacity raises critical questions regarding the potential obsolescence of knowledge and the continued relevance of academic programmes deemed less commercially viable. It is vital to consider if knowledge can actually become obsolete, or if the issue is a failure to connect existing knowledge to new discoveries.

Low enrollment figures are not necessarily a reliable indicator of a programme’s intrinsic value. Suppressing programs based on short-term trends could unwittingly stifle future innovation. The history of science is replete with examples of groundbreaking advancements emerging from fields initially considered peripheral.

The core mission of a university goes beyond producing ‘job-ready’ graduates. It is one that fosters an environment where intellectual exploration and critical thinking can flourish, a marketplace of ideas where diverse disciplines converge to create a new field of knowledge. The creeping influence of corporatisation model, with its unwavering focus on quick financial returns, threatens to stifle this very essence.

However, dismissing the potential benefits of this model would be remiss. Increased funding could lead to the acquisition of modern learning tools, gleaming equipment, and enhanced research facilities, all of which could enrich the educational experience. Imagine classrooms buzzing with collaborative student projects that apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. The presence of industry experts sharing their wisdom with eager students could further enhance the learning environment.

Furthermore, the emphasis on immediate return on investment disregards the inherent value of intellectual exploration. As mentioned earlier, history is filled with examples of seemingly obscure disciplines that later revolutionised entire fields. Disciplines deemed irrelevant today might hold the key to solving tomorrow’s most pressing challenges. By neglecting these nascent fields, we risk stifling the very wellspring of progress.

 

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