Public tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been the worst affected in terms of resources allocated, facilities provided and types of equipment installed. Over the democratic years, there has been a contretemps between the federal government of Nigeria and the public tertiary university representatives.
While the university representatives claim to protect the interest of the public institutions, the government asseverate to understand and know the best way to implement the needs of public tertiary institutions. The public tertiary institutions accommodate a large number of Nigeria youths. Young people from age 18-40 walk in and out of public tertiary schools for either an undergraduate program or a post-graduate program.
However, despite so much clamour and scrimmage by both institutional elephants, the Public tertiary institutions still suffer a situation that could be likened to the Roman leprous condition.

The situation in Public tertiary institutions is a clear depiction of incomplete truth and deceit publicly told and shoved down the minds of citizens by the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The federal government of Nigeria has continually allocated little funds for education. It has prioritised other sectors of the economy over education. In 2015, the government allocated 9.5% of its annual budget to education, in 2018, 8.44% was allocated, and in 2020, 6.7% was allocated. A backward sitch that creates stunted economic growth for enlightenment.

This situation has led to the hiring of poor and ineffective manpower. It has also led to dilapidated buildings and facilities clustered in public schools.
Some public tertiary institutions lack the advanced technological and scientific equipment needed to improve the quality of research in Nigeria.
The federal government on her part has won for itself several wrong awards and accolades for not fulfilling its promises and agreements.
The government of Nigeria, both Past and Present have oftentimes, gone back on its promises even on acts backed up by laws on education. It has also shown little transparency in its dealing with the tertiary schools.

While their efforts are not in doubt regarding their vision of having every Nigerian educated, their actions negate their vision.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on its part has continued to be the god of war and final arbiter between the public schools and the federal government.
Sometimes, their agitations have paid off as the federal government yields to some of their demands.
However, the union has shown ill consideration to the students as they embark on protracted industrial actions with little concerns about the welfare of the students. They have remained selfish and shown little or no accountability regarding various funding they received, both locally and internationally. The union has been shredded in dishonesty and has gradually begun to outlive its importance.

Research has shown that hardly will a student attend the public school and within a period of 4 or 5 years, will not experience industrial action by the university union. (see https://iproject.com.ng/education/strike-a-major-clog-in-the-wheel-of-the-nigerian-educational-sector/index.html)
Industrial action is therefore seen as the top curriculum for the union.
While the students in private schools are certain about their programme duration and possibly the quality of education received, the public school students are left in the hands of the biblical LORD to wallow in academic mediocrity and uncertainties.
The image of public tertiary institutions therefore ought to be redeemed. The negligence and dereliction accompanying tertiary institutions as a result of the government's insincerity need to be erased. Public tertiary institutions should be prioritized and allowed to function optimally, thereby creating genuine room for research and adequate scholarship.

The political games played by the government in education matters should be forsaken and excellence should be embraced. The government should forge towards a society where people are enlightened and desist from using illiteracy as a political tool.
The academic unions should review her leadership to ensure it has not wheeled out from its vision. Huge transparency is expected from them as custodian of knowledge.
The structures in public schools should be revisited, renovated and reconstructed to align with modern facilities. These and other meaningful suggestions will help redeem the image of public tertiary institutions.

What Image are they redeeming with the low fund for education in this country

Until politics is made unattractive or leaching of those politicians, forget it.

I cry sometimes because we are not even close to get it right in education.

No funding
No grants
Little scholarships


Old equipment
Old curriculum
Old methodology
Old everything