Reps Panel Raises Alarm Over Mass Exit Of University Lecturers

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has expressed concern over the mass exit of lecturers and some members of non teaching staff from the nation’s universities without replacement.

Following the committee’s oversight visit to the universities in the South East region, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, chairman of the committee, said it is dangerous to have lecturers exiting the system by way of retirement or death without any effort to fill the gap.

He cited example of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, where the authorities of the school confirmed that  over 3000 teaching and non teaching  members of the staff had left the service since 2019 either by retirement or death and there was no replacement for the vacant positions.

Fulata noted noted that the Committee on University Education and the 10th House of Representatives were determined to improve on the standard of education in the country hence, the oversight visit to ascertain the true condition of the universities.

“I think it is not normal to see lecturers and even members of non academic staff leaving the university system by retirement, death or whichever way without replacement.”

“It is not also healthy for the university system  to have about 3000 leaving  the system and only have permission to recruit just about 500 people”.

“It is my humble appeal to the governing councils of the universities, Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant government bodies to ensure our university system is working smoothly by ensuring there is no undue vacancies,” Fulata said.

Fulata also urged the management of the universities in the country to ensure they comply with federal character principles in appointments and recruitments of staff.

He said from observation, many universities didn’t comply with federal character principles, urging both the old and new universities to correct the anomalies.