In Nigeria, higher education is highly competitive, leading to increased corruption in the university system. One significant issue is corruption among Nigerian lecturers, resulting in consequences such as promoting mediocrity, reducing graduate quality, and declining educational standards. This article examines the depth of corruption among Nigerian lecturers and offers strategies for students navigating the toxic university environment.
Like many other universities globally, Nigerian universities depend on lecturers to deliver quality education to students. Unfortunately, the productivity of Nigerian lecturers in promoting quality education has been compromised by corruption.
Bribery
The most common source of corruption among Nigerian lecturers is bribery. Bribery is the act of offering or receiving something of value in exchange for something else. In universities, bribery is commonly used to obtain higher grades, admission into courses or modules, or secure jobs after graduation. Motivated by greed, Nigerian lecturers often demand bribes from students in various ways.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is more prevalent among male lecturers and female students. This form of corruption is morally wrong, illegal, and punishable under Nigerian law. Sexual harassment hinders students’ productivity, and many students who fail to comply with their lecturers’ demands often get poor grades or fail their courses.
Apart from the negative impact of the corrupt conduct of Nigerian lecturers on students’ academic achievements, the practices also affect the country’s educational system’s outcome. With corruption in the university system, students are often ill-equipped for the labour force and unable to compete effectively in the global market. It also increases the country’s unemployment rate, reduces research quality, and lowers academic integrity.
The toxic environment in Nigerian universities necessitates that students take proactive steps to mitigate the impacts of the corrupt activities of their lecturers. Here are some practical tips on how students can navigate the university system in Nigeria:
1. Stay focused on your goals:
The university aims to provide an enabling environment for learning and knowledge acquisition. Therefore, regardless of whether or not your lecturers engage in corruption, you should remain focused on your academic goals and maintain a positive attitude to learning.
2. Find trusted mentors:
The university environment can be daunting, but finding trusted mentors to guide you through your academic journey can make things easier. A trusted mentor can offer valuable advice, suggest relevant reading materials and learning strategies, and help guide your education and career development.
3. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills:
Nigeria’s university system often prioritizes rote learning and memorization, making developing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills imperative. Analyzing and evaluating information will help you stay ahead of the curve and make meaningful contributions to your discipline.
4. Be professional:
Universities are places of learning but also professional environments, and students must act professionally. Dress appropriately, respect your lecturers and academic colleagues, and present yourself well in the classroom and other educational settings.
5. Utilise available resources:
The university system offers several resources to support students, including libraries and learning centres. Take advantage of these resources to improve your learning experience, deepen your understanding of your discipline, and achieve better grades.
In conclusion, corruption is a global problem prevalent in Nigeria’s university system. The corrupt activities of lecturers negatively impact students and the country’s educational system. To mitigate these impacts, students must take proactive measures, such as staying focused on their goals, finding trusted mentors, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, being professional, and utilizing available resources. Finally, stakeholders must address the problem of corruption in Nigeria’s universities to improve the quality of education and the overall national development agenda.
