Indeed, “it is not all that glitters that is Gold” they say. Who could have believed that this can be a headline news in the United kingdom.

Last weekend Guardian Unlimited published a detailed list of universities at risk of collapse, thanks to the FOI, it wrote thus:

Two articles, based on information obtained from the Higher Education Funding Council for England under the Freedom of Information Act, named 43 universities on Hefce’s list of colleges at risk of financial failure between 1998 and 2003.

The import of this is interesting in two areas. First, to me as an international student in the UK and secondly, to my fellow compatriots in Nigeria that think it is all glittering and greener in this part of the world or fence.

First, as a student, the question now is do I have the right to know before I enrolled into the University what the financial state of the University is? This question has become pertinent because, I cannot afford to be thrown out of the University after paying the Shylock tuition fees that one is subjected to as an international student.

Second, as Nigerians that have always thought coming to the UK and elsewhere to study is topmost in their desire to be educated should think twice. Although, it seems glorious from the outside with all the marketing gimmicks put together to attract you and your money; what you have paid for may not be what you are getting.

What does this portend to Nigeria and Nigerians? The truth is that,  government to a larger extent should decide on what to do with education in Nigeria. If they are interested in funding it, that should be done in its totality; otherwise full autonomy should be granted to Nigerian Universities to source for funding as well as manage their sourced funds with regulation still government’s reserve.

Having said that, are Nigerians ready to pay what is obtainable out here and elsewhere if asked to pay it at home? This position is not a tacit support for high cost of education when liberalized and granted autonomy but the government in Nigeria should fund education through student grants, loans and other forms of direct and indirect funding. I am hoping this will form the main agenda for President Yar’Adua’s planned education summit.

It is hoped that by so doing, the government in Nigeria can avert the looming risk of total collapse that the education sector in Nigeria is facing at the moment. As for the UK, we all deserve better having paid through our noses and endured extreme hardship to study here. I think the Universities should be made to disclose their financial status to prospective students during its massive recruitment drives.

See detail list HERE:
Secret List of Universities Facing Collapse
The Critical List

Sponsors