FUTA Warns Nigerian Universities Against Producing Too Many Weak Graduates

(FUTA. Photo Credit: Punch News)

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has urged Nigerian universities to prioritise quality over quantity in the production of graduates, cautioning against the drift toward turning higher institutions into "degree mills."

The call was made on Thursday at the university's 15th Registry Annual Lecture, where a Professor of English Literature and Literary Analysis at the University of Lagos, Hope Eghagha, delivered a lecture titled "Quality or Quantity: Rethinking Higher Education Administration in the 21st Century."

Eghagha argued that universities must focus on producing highly skilled, globally competitive graduates rather than simply boosting enrolment and graduation figures.

He said balancing educational expansion with academic excellence represents the defining challenge of the era, stressing that in 21st-century Nigeria, the true measure of a university's success should shift entirely from churning out large numbers of graduates to cultivating professionals who are genuinely skilled and competitive on the global stage.

He warned against allowing institutions to become mere degree mills, insisting that educational standards must be fiercely protected and elevated so that every certificate awarded reflects real expertise, innovation and character.

According to him, prioritising strategic funding, rigorous accreditation and strong capacity building over unchecked enrolment would help Nigerian higher education move past its current challenges and build a legacy of uncompromised excellence.

Speaking at the event, the Registrar of FUTA, Mr Charles Adeleye, appealed to public-spirited individuals, alumni and corporate organisations to support efforts aimed at strengthening the university's registry.

He noted that considerable effort goes into keeping the administrative machinery running efficiently and sustaining the annual event, and called for support from well-meaning individuals and organisations to enable the registry remain dynamic, innovative and responsive to the evolving demands of university administration, expressing confidence that such partnerships would significantly boost the university's capacity for effective service delivery.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said FUTA remained committed to becoming a world-class university of technology through excellence in teaching, research and service delivery, adding that the institution would continue to engage with issues affecting higher education as part of broader efforts to strengthen the university system and Nigeria's education sector.