Professor Aderemi Raji, a professor in the Department of English, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, in this interview with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI, decries the proliferation of universities, warning that failure to address the issue will undermine the quality of education, especially given the paucity of funds plaguing existing institutions. With universities facing inadequate funding challenges, is there a need to establish more? The question is rhetorical. We don’t need more universities, especially when we can’t adequately fund those we currently have.
The way universities are established and financed in this country suggests a lack of proper planning in the structuring of the system. In 2023, we had 170 universities at the federal, state, and private levels. But by 2024, we already have 274 universities, which was an increase of 104 within one year.
With this focus on quantity, the quality of education is called into question. Generally, we are witnessing the proliferation of average institutions and the argument for more universities may be to create more opportunities for student admissions. However, it seems that we are paying so much attention to quantity that quality no longer matters.
In what ways does inadequate funding affect the quality of education and research? Funding has always been the primary challenge faced by tertiary institutions. Every other challenge is tied to this. It is at the heart of university administration, efficient teaching, provision of resourc.