“A gardener’s three hours’ pay in the US is what Nigerian professors earn in a month – Ex-OAU Vice-Chancellor Wande Abimbola”

Former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Wande Abimbola, has warned that Nigerian universities are on the brink of collapse unless the Federal Government acts quickly.

Speaking on Boiling Point Arena, Abimbola lamented the poor welfare of lecturers, noting that a full professor earns around ₦500,000 monthly, which he described as a “pittance” compared to global standards. He said such an amount was equivalent to what academics abroad could earn in just a few hours doing minor work.

The former Senate Majority Leader recalled that Nigerian universities were still thriving during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor in 1989. However, within a few years of his exit, he said the system had decayed badly and has continued to worsen ever since.

Abimbola criticized the government for establishing new universities while neglecting existing ones. He described the situation as “a big shame,” insisting that if proper funding is not provided, the institutions should not even exist.

He urged the Federal Government to urgently set up a Commission of Inquiry to find solutions that could revive the university system.

Once ranked among the best in Africa, Nigerian universities have now dropped in both continental and global rankings. Abimbola concluded with a warning: “Nigerian universities are slowly dying before our very eyes.”