The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has raised alarm over the continued loss of academic and non-teaching staff from Nigeria’s universities without adequate recruitment to fill the gaps.
Chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata, expressed concern during an oversight visit to federal and state universities in the South-East, warning that the trend threatens the stability and quality of higher education.
Citing the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Fulata revealed that over 3,000 staff members have exited the institution since 2019 through retirement or death, while approval has been granted to recruit only 500 replacements.
“It is dangerous for the university system to keep losing personnel without replacing them. Such imbalance undermines academic continuity and institutional capacity,” he said.
He urged the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to urgently address the manpower crisis and ensure compliance with the federal character principle in future recruitment exercises.
Nigeria’s tertiary institutions have long faced challenges including poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, and brain drain, as lecturers seek better opportunities abroad due to poor working conditions and low pay.
Fulata assured that the committee will continue to engage stakeholders to strengthen the university system and stem the tide of talent loss in the nation’s academia.
