Don Blames Underfunding, Poor Mentorship For Declining Academic Standards

A university don, Dr Robert Odewale, has attributed the steady decline in academic standards in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to decades of underfunding, poor institutional mentorship and widespread ethical compromises within the education system.

Odewale stated this yesterday when he delivered the keynote lecture at the revived public lecture series of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Ondo State. The lecture, themed “RUGIPO RESET: Restoring Trust, Discipline, and Academic Rigour,” marked the institution’s first academic lecture since October 2024.

The academic traced the decline in Nigeria’s higher education sector to the mid-1980s, arguing that the funding freeze following the 1983 military takeover triggered a downward spiral that led to massive brain drain and weakened the quality of teaching and research.

”It all started in the mid-1980s after the overthrow of Shehu Shagari. The subsequent total freeze on institutional funding in January 1984 initiated a steep downward trajectory and a massive brain drain from which the system never recovered. Until we deliberately rebuild mentorship, integrity and investment in education, the decline will continue,” Odewale said.

‎He also condemned the growing commercialisation of education, criticising lecturers who rely on inadequate handouts instead of comprehensive teaching.

‎He questioned how an entire 15-week semester course could be compressed into a few pages and still equip students with the required technical, scientific and conceptual knowledge.

‎The don urged lecturers to continually update their knowledge to remain relevant in an era where students have access to vast digital information, warning against the continued use of outdated lecture materials. He also stressed that while technology has improved accuracy, integrity remains a human responsibility that must never be compromised.

‎Odewale further advised students to develop practical competence beyond paper qualifications, insisting that academic certificates would only retain their value when backed by genuine knowledge, skills and sound character.

‎He also called on academics to embrace evidence-based research and modern digital tools to restore confidence in higher education.

‎In his remarks, the Acting Rector of RUGIPO, Dr Olorunwa Lawson, said the institution had commenced a comprehensive repositioning process aimed at restoring discipline, strengthening research and preparing the polytechnic for a seamless transition into a university.

‎Lawson said meaningful teaching, learning and research could only thrive in a peaceful and disciplined academic environment, urging members of staff to reject every form of academic fraud and uphold the highest ethical standards.

‎Earlier, the Chairman of the institution’s Research and Technical Journal Committee commended the Acting Rector for approving and funding the lecture series barely two months after assuming office, describing the initiative as a major step towards reviving the institution’s academic culture and moral values.