How Universities, National Assembly Are Embarrassing Nigeria – Osita Chidoka

by Ashraf Oluwatobiloba, Kaduna.

ABUJA – Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Osita Chidoka, has criticized Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and the National Assembly, describing them as major sources of embarrassment to the country.

Speaking in an interview, Chidoka, who is also the Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, lamented the lack of transparency in Nigerian universities, citing findings from a recent report by the Athena Centre.

According to him, Nigerian universities fail to disclose their financial records, unlike institutions in other African countries such as Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa, where funding details are publicly accessible.

“We tried to find out how much universities receive and spend, but that information is not available on their websites or through surveys. In contrast, universities in other African nations provide clear records on internally generated revenue, government funding, grants, and research support,” Chidoka stated.

He expressed concern that some Nigerian universities receive as much as ₦35 billion to ₦40 billion annually from federal allocations, yet there is no transparency in how these funds are utilized.

Chidoka also criticized the lack of accountability in university administration, stating that visitation panel reports are often hidden from public scrutiny, unlike in foreign institutions where strategic plans, funding breakdowns, and student accommodation costs are readily available.

Furthermore, he linked the opacity in universities to broader governance issues, particularly in electoral processes. He noted that when university professors were introduced as returning officers in elections, there was initial optimism, but their lack of transparency in university management has reflected in their handling of electoral duties.

“If I knew then what I know now—that universities themselves lack transparency—I would have realized that professors acting as returning officers would make things worse,” he added.

Chidoka also criticized the National Assembly, accusing lawmakers of failing to provide quality representation for their constituents. He urged both institutions to embrace accountability and transparency to restore public confidence.