A lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Tade Oludayo, has revealed shocking realities. 

In a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Oludayo claims that lecturers are now forced to contribute personal funds to get their courses accredited by the National Universities Commission.

This revelation throws light on the dilapidated state of public universities and the lack of support they receive from the government. According to Dr. Oludayo, the situation is so dire that “lecturers are using their blood to sustain the remains of the public university.”

He further alleges that the university system is under attack by the ruling class, highlighting the stark contrast between the deplorable conditions in public universities and the lavish lifestyles of the political elite.

“Mr President, the university system is under attack by the ruling class. Maybe you don’t know or your aides didn’t bring it to your notice. Lecturers are using their blood to sustain the remains of the public university.

“To get courses accredited in many departments in public universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC), lecturers in those departments contribute money to prepare for the accreditation because most of these universities don’t release money or the school administrations have also become nonchalant like their political class counterparts,” he wrote

The letter details instances where lecturers have had to go above and beyond their duties to ensure the smooth functioning of their departments. 

From purchasing door labels and generators to working overtime without proper compensation, Dr. Oludayo paints a picture of dedication and resilience.

“It is very bad in some institutions; door labels/tags are paid for by staff. I had a colleague who brought his generating set to school to power his class because he wanted the students to get some things. After being frustrated by the same system, he resigned and moved to a better place where he is better appreciated for his worth. He would only be coordinating people to earn his living,” he furthered.

He also raises the issue of unpaid earned academic allowances, which have been accumulating for over six years. This unpaid debt represents the extra work undertaken by lecturers due to the government’s failure to recruit adequate staff.

“Mr President, as I write, the federal government owes lecturers billions of naira of earned academic allowances for more than six years. If this is not clear to you, it is the money for doing excess teaching and excess supervision. This happened because the federal government refused to recruit more lecturers and ASUU struck a deal that those doing more than they ought to do should be compensated until the government is able to employ more hands.”

Dr. Oludayo concludes his letter by urging President Tinubu to invest in education, citing the example of developed countries that have achieved their status through advancements in science and technology, driven by investment in education.