The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has called on Nigerian universities to prioritise quality over quantity in higher education, warning that institutions must resist the temptation to become "degree mills" focused solely on producing large numbers of graduates instead of competent professionals.
The call was made during the university's 15th Registry Annual Lecture, where academics, administrators and education stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of university education and the reforms required to strengthen Nigeria's tertiary education system.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled "Quality or Quantity: Rethinking Higher Education Administration in 21st Century Nigeria," Professor Hope Eghagha of the University of Lagos argued that educational expansion must never come at the expense of academic excellence.
Eghagha stressed that the true measure of a university's success should not be determined by the number of graduates it produces each year but by the competence, innovation, integrity and global competitiveness of those graduates.
He warned that universities which focus excessively on enrolment figures while neglecting academic standards risk producing graduates who are inadequately prepared for the demands of today's rapidly changing labour market.
According to the professor, higher education institutions must deliberately invest in strategic funding, quality assurance mechanisms, rigorous accreditation processes and continuous capacity building for lecturers if they hope to remain globally relevant.
He maintained that every university certificate should represent genuine knowledge, practical competence and sound character rather than merely serving as proof that a student completed a programme of study.
The lecture also highlighted the growing pressure on universities across the country to accommodate increasing numbers of admission seekers despite limited infrastructure, inadequate funding and shortages of academic personnel.
Many public universities have experienced significant increases in student enrolment over the years, creating concerns among education experts about overcrowded classrooms, overstretched facilities and declining staff-to-student ratios.
Education stakeholders at the event agreed that expanding access to university education remains important but insisted that such expansion must be accompanied by sustained investments capable of maintaining high teaching and research standards.
Speaking during the programme, FUTA Registrar Mr. Charles Adeleye appealed to alumni, corporate organisations and other public-spirited individuals to support efforts aimed at strengthening the university's administrative capacity.
Adeleye explained that the registry plays a critical role in ensuring efficient university administration and noted that additional support would enable the institution to remain innovative, responsive and effective in delivering quality services.
He added that partnerships with stakeholders would contribute significantly to improving administrative efficiency while helping the university respond more effectively to the evolving demands of higher education management.
FUTA Vice-Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji reaffirmed the institution's commitment to becoming a world-class university of technology through excellence in teaching, research, innovation and community service.
She stated that the university would continue to create platforms for robust discussions on issues affecting higher education because meaningful dialogue remains essential to improving Nigeria's university system.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that universities must constantly evaluate their policies, administrative structures and academic programmes to ensure they remain relevant in an increasingly competitive global knowledge economy.
Observers noted that the theme of this year's lecture reflects ongoing national conversations about graduate employability, declining educational standards and the urgent need to align university education with the realities of the twenty-first-century workforce.
Analysts have repeatedly argued that employers now place increasing value on practical skills, critical thinking, creativity and digital competence, making quality education more important than ever before.
Many education experts also believe that stronger collaboration between universities, government agencies and the private sector will be necessary to equip graduates with the knowledge and practical experience required to compete internationally.
As Nigeria continues to expand access to higher education through the establishment of new universities and increased admission opportunities, stakeholders insist that protecting academic quality must remain a national priority if tertiary education is to fulfil its role in driving innovation, economic growth and sustainable national development.