Federalism, Politics and Corruption in Nigeria: Implications for Higher Education

Abstract

This study examines some of the current developments in the university system in the educational sector in Nigeria's federalism. Methodologically, the study uses secondary data based on content analysis. The paper notes that Nigerian universities have greatly expanded in terms of number but have stagnated over the years in terms of quality, skills and entrepreneurial usefulness on the part of the products. Hence, the products of these institutions are mostly found to be unemployable and less competitive in relation to their counterparts from other climes. This is a paradox of growth without development in the higher education sector in the country. It is against this backdrop this study is undertaken to critically examine the main challenges facing the higher education advancement in Nigeria. It is observed that the nature of Nigerian politics, the wrongful application of the federal principles and the pervasive corruption in the country have negatively impacted on the higher educational advancement in Nigeria. The study recommends among other strategies surgical and clinical operation for the advancement of the country's higher educational system, which requires fighting the pervasive corruption in the Federation headlong, granting true autonomy to the universities and depoliticizing the educational system. Corrupt and immoral university staff and their accomplices in crime should be prosecuted and jailed to serve as a deterrent to others. Finally, the environment in which the students undertake their studies is greatly a source of concern and thus requires overhauling. For the nation's higher education to progressively advanced, it must be qualitative and internationally competitive.

Keywords: Federalism, Politics, Corruption, Nigerian Higher Education