With a growing appetite for private universities amongst the Nigerian elite and the attendant growth in their numbers in recent years, have come the questions of quality and standards. Medinat Kanabe who has followed the trend and interacted with the students across the schools for months reports on the good, the bad and their ugly sides.
According to the latest Webometrics ranking of universities released in February this year, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State beat every other university in West Africa to emerge top in the sub-region. To achieve that feat, the university had to emerge 15th in Africa, beating the great Obafemi Awolowo University, with all its federal might and over half a century heritage of excellence, to a distant second in the second in the sub-region. OAU emerged 21 on the continental ranking.
Expectedly, the Vice Chancellor of the Living Faith Ministries-owned institution, Prof. Charles Ayo has been reveling in the accolades of the feat. “This is a validation of the leadership position of Covenant University, not only amongst the league of private universities in Nigeria, but also amongst all public universities in the country and West Africa. It is a validation of the university’s quest… to be listed amongst the top ten universities in the world by 2022.”
But while it may appear gladdening that two Nigerian universities topped the West African ranking, a further localisation of the ranking however shows that of the top ten universities in Nigeria, only two privately-run universities scaled the hurdle, with Landmark University, barely squeezing in on the ninth position. Federal government-owned universities cornered all the other slots, raising a few questions about the much-advertised strength, quality and standard of the so-called private universities. This is also bearing in mind that the Webometrics online ranking is the most reliable and most respected independent global ranking for universities, internationally.
In more recent years, Nigerian parents, who can afford it, have shunned government universities, preferring to put their children and wards in the increasingly popular private universities, not minding the huge bills. A cursory look at the figures show that parents have had to pay between N400,000 and N800,000 a year, to have their children access these ‘exclusive’ higher education facilities. The high fees also somehow mean that parents and guardian could simply sit back and expect their children to get the best of services. Or so one might think.
However, this has not been so. In a research that took nearly a year, The Nation discovered, rather disappointingly that most of the private universities are more or less glorified secondary schools, with many parading decrepit facilities and some offering services that could be considered worse, even for dogs. At least that is the much this reporter came away with during series of visits and interaction with half a dozen of the universities.
Or how else would one regard a situation, where students in a university are served rice consecutively for over one month? Or a scenario, where students have to travel kilometers, to the university church to have their bath, simply because the university has failed to provide water in the hostels? Or even a situation where youths are subjected to stringent rules, described by the students as belittling and suffocating. One of the students also spoke of how one of the universities fooled him and his parents with promise of 24-hour power supply, only to meet a near zero-hour situation on ground.
It is however a mixed grill, as the stories and testimonies from the students are not all negative. While some of the universities have remarkable strength in the humanities courses, some boast of the best in terms of practicals in science courses, while a good number of them boast of superb student-lecturers relationship.
It is important to note at this stage that this report is not to damage the reputation of any of the universities, but more importantly, to highlight the state of affairs in the institutions, help parents and guardians make informed decisions in their choice of universities for their wards and keep the universities managements on their toes.
Bells University of Technology
If you are looking for a private university where the rules do not make the students feel like they are in secondary school, The Bells University of Technology (BELLSTECH) fits the bill.
Located in Ota, Ogun State, BELLSTECH is accessible through Ota Road from Sango, a commercial hub along Abeokuta Expressway; and Agbara, on the Badagry Expressway axis in Lagos. In terms of size, the university is compact – with most of its facilities housed in red-brick buildings.
The university has six colleges: Natural and Applied Sciences; Information and Communications Technology; Food Sciences; Management Sciences; Engineering and Environmental Sciences.
The students claim they have a vibrant social life and are happy with the lecturer-student relationship.
“Bells University is not just a usual university, it is a family university because they don’t just lecture but make sure we understand. Lecturers give out their numbers in class and tell us where their offices are in case you have questions for them or need their assistance in anyway. I didn’t know about this before I came in, but I’m not regretting it,” Rowland Bassey, an Economics student in the university said.
Generally, the students also seem satisfied with the quality of academic delivery – so much so that all those interviewed said they would attend the institution again, given another chance.
The hostels are in two categories, Silver and Bronze, and are priced according to their facilities. The silver hostel houses six students per room, while the bronze hostel accommodates eight students per room. A third category, which is the Gold Hostel, was under construction as at the time of this visit. Some of the students spoken to expressed their anticipation towards a quick completion, hoping that it could offer better quality than the older two.
Even though the students are granted considerable level of freedom, unlike several other private universities, indiscipline is not tolerated. Students are expected to attend classes at least 80 per cent of the time or lose their rights to sit for the examinations.
“Attendance is 80 per cent,” said Martha Bassey, a 300-Level student of Biochemistry, “and if you don’t meet it, you don’t write exams. Apart from that lecturers take attendance themselves and make sure no-one signs for anybody.”
However, BELLSTECH has its shortfalls and challenges. Some students complained of the distasteful practice of fixing lectures at night for 100 and 200-Level students.
The institution is also in need of facilities. Although students of Biomedical Engineering say their laboratory is okay, many students in the Faculty of Applied and Pure Sciences complained that they don’t have enough equipment.
“If we want to do something in the laboratory, some students will do the work while others watch.” Another student said.
A good number of the students also spoke on the need to improve the environment, by way of expanding the campus and redesigning the brick buildings.
Also, the university’s website does not impress. As this reporter found out, many links are not active, leading to dead ends.
In a chat with the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi, this reporter learnt that there are no immediate plans to exceed the current 5000 student population.
“We have our vision and objectives. The founder in the original document of the university stated it clearly that the school should never exceed 5, 000 students population because according to them 5,000 is a manageable and controllable number.”
Covenant University, Ota
Covenant University campus is located along Idiroko Road, Canaanland, Ota, in Ogun State. Owned by the Living Faith Church aka Winners’ Chapel, the university opened its doors to students on October 21, 2002.
Founded on a vision to revolutionise the educational landscape of Africa, the university runs 33 programmes under two colleges: Development Studies and Science and Technology); and a post-graduate school to compliment.
Covenant University has a nice green environment that appeals to the aesthetics, with lots of places to relax in between or after lectures. It also boasts of lots of infrastructure, to cater to its 7,000 student population.
School fees is between N400,000 and N580,000 and is payable in one instalment before resumption.
Based on different reasons and perspectives, the students say they would choose the university again, should the need arise.
Feyintoluwa Ibiloye, a graduate of the school who studied accounting, told this reporter that “I will attend CU again if given the opportunity because no other school in Nigeria has the kind of serenity and peace Covenant has. I give the environment 100 per cent.”
Another, Okebalama Chiamaka, who graduated in Economics, said “Although it is a new university, it is developing rapidly and competing with renowned universities. Hostel is good; and we have one of the best laboratories in the country.”
She also said the school management is very student-oriented and that the dress rules are the best. “Frankly, it has improved our sense of proper dressing, such that when we go out to events or organisations, we are the best dressed and most disciplined.”
Another female student said “The rules are okay. At the beginning it seemed too much, but later we got used to it and it became a lifestyle. It makes us behave well outside the school environment without knowing it. It also opens doors for us. I say 100 per cent to rules.”
Relationship between teachers and students here is also very close and good – probably because some of the lecturers also passed through the university. A good number of those spoken to gives the university 90 per cent in this category.
Another strong point for the university, according to the students, is its entrepreneurial approach, which they say avails them skills that they can use to earn money on their own.
One of the students said she was able to learn web designing, baking, make-up, and photography.
It is however not all sweet scents for CU. One of the schools recent graduate said she’d like the student-population reduced and rules on mobile phones relaxed.
She would also like the food quality improved. “The food was never perfect. It was manageable sometimes and bad some other times. And they should give the students some freedom because they are old enough to take care of themselves.”
Even though he acknowledged the quality of the laboratory, this fresh alumnus, who will not reveal her identity said they still needs some equipments.
Voice from the tower
If the students however think the rules are going to be relaxed anytime soon, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo, said they should forget it.
He told The Nation that the university has no apologies for insisting on compliance.
“Looking at the level of moral decadence in the society, the management will not mellow down on the rules of the university because even as we aspire to become one of the top 10 universities in the world, our first goal is to evolve a Covenant University culture of discipline, commitment and responsibility.
“We are not and will not mellow down because they are going out there at the end of the day and they must impact well.”
The VC also said the university’s recent string of achievements in ranking is because the school has never lost sight of its vision to be a world-class university. He said the school pays extra attention to power supply and security.
“We spend between 40 and 50 million naira on power every month for the university alone. We pay a lot but we need it. We also have started constructing our independent power plant,” he hinted.
Crawford University, Igbesa
For serious students who are focused all on academics and little else, Crawford University, Igbesa, might offer an attraction.
Students rate the learning environment, laboratories, quality of teaching, and lecturer-student relationship very high.
The university is owned by the Apostolic Faith Church, and it is located in Faith City, KM 8, Atan Agbara Road, Igbesa, Ogun State, and accessible through Iyana-Iba and Mile Two in Lagos.
It runs 18 programmes under two colleges: Natural and Applied Sciences; and Business and Social Sciences. School fees range between N465, 000 and N495, 000 and students are allowed to pay in two installments.
Like most private universities, all students are housed on campus.
However, beyond this and the academics, students have a litany of complaints which they would like the management and authorities in charge to urgently look into.
For one, water supply is a serious challenge that the students are not happy with. The situation is so bad that the students claim that they sometimes go for weeks without water in the hostels, forcing them to go to class without taking their bath. The alternative, they say, is to trek long distance to the church to fetch water or have their bath there.
A further downside to this according to a Biochemistry student spoken to; is that “you will get all sweaty and dirty before you even get back to the school.”
Another sore point is the lack of variety in the meals. “I ate rice for 21 days,” one of student claimed.
Also, the school offers little in terms of infrastructure. Beyond the administrative block and multipurpose hall, the university does not boast of much in terms of physical appearance, relaxation or recreational facilities.
Said the Biochemistry student again, “There is no relaxation place for parents and visitors. If you come to visit anyone, you will stay in your car.”
Until recently, the students also complained of lack of adequate banking facilities. “We have only one bank in the whole of Crawford and if you don’t have a master card, the ATM won’t pay you,” a student complained.
They also said the power situation is poor, but improving.
Like most private universities owned by religious organisations, Crawford University students also complain of the stringent rules. Female students cannot wear earrings, make up or carry flashy hairstyles. And all church programmes, which many students described as boring, are made compulsory.
Also, they complain that male and female students cannot be friends.
VC speaks
The university is not unaware of the challenges and complaints of the students. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Sampson Ayanlaja, said efforts are being made to address the food issue and provide recreational facilities.
“We have heard and seen into those. We are introducing more competition and variety in the menu. We know that that area is a challenge that we must look into.
“We have actually in our development programme, allocated quite a lot of money to football and tennis court and other things, so that students can get places to go and relax. We also recently equipped their rooms with DStv and television set, so that they can relax during their free time.” he said.
But about the rules, he said they are in place to guide the students from yielding to youthful exuberance.
“What are these rules?” He asked. “That they should not just go out of the campus; that they should dress moderately; that boys cannot wear sagging trousers; that they must go to the library and attend lectures? Are those not set of rules that can make them great?” Ayanlaja asked rhetorically.
Redeemers University, Ede
During classes a visitor would find it hard to see students of Redeemers University (RUN) loitering. And when you get to see them at all, they are in groups, moving quickly to venues of their next lectures.
Conceived and established by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the university recently relocated from its Redemption City, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to Ede, in Osun State.
It runs 22 programmes under three colleges, and school fees range between N560, 800 to N600, 800. Fresh students however pay between N87,000 and N103,000 more, to cover acceptance fees, immunisation (Hepatitis, Typhoid and Cervarix) and caution fee.
Asked to assess the university and if they would choose the school again, the students said ‘yes.’ This they based on the academic culture, good study environment and freedom from cultism. They also cited the absence of exploitation/harassment from lecturers, strikes and the problem of failed accreditation exercises as part of the schools upsides.
They, like BELLSTECH and Covenant University, also rate the school high in terms of students-lecturers relationship – as high as 90 per cent.
“Our lecturers actually call us to ask how we are doing whenever we are on holidays,” Awedu Olaonipekun, a Mass Communication student said.
They however rate the school low in terms of practical classes.
Also, some students of the Tourism Studies department rated their hostel facility low, although some did praised the quality. This is at variance with the information on the university’s website (http://run.edu.ng ), which describes the accommodation as conducive.
Students also feel that the rules of conduct on the campus are a bit draconian, and should be softened.
“We are not even allowed to watch television. Even those in 400-Level, whose hostels are self-contain apartments, cannot own televisions. You can only watch television in the common room. They think they are holding us, but many of our girls go across the roads to meet with men in hotels,” one of the student leaders confided.
CALEB University, imota
Founded by Prince Oladega Adebogun in 2007 to complete his education empire (Caleb already has a league of primary and secondary schools), CALEB University is located in Imota, near Ikorodu, Lagos. Although not affiliated to any church, the school takes its Christian values seriously.
CALEB University offers 16 undergraduate degree programmes and one post-graduate degree programme across four colleges.
To the University’s credit, students of the Mass Communication department can’t stop singing praises of facilities in their department. Probably due to the fact that their VC, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju was headhunted from the University of Lagos, the students also claim close relationship with the University of Lagos, which they say gives them access to the UNILAG FM radio facilities.
They are also confident that the quality of tuition they get is commensurate to those obtainable at federal universities, because many of their lecturers are from the University of Lagos.
“I give the school (CALEB) 70 per cent in academics and 100 per cent in laboratory facilities and practicals.” Mayowa, a student of Mass Communications student said.
They also praise the ambience, which they say they love, and score the university high in terms of student-lecturer relationship.
The students also say the student-lecturer relationship is great, and love the campus ambience.
It’s however not all praises for the CALEB university.
Expectedly, they hate the rules, which they say are limiting their exposure and impacting negatively on their social interaction skills.
“I give them 10 per cent on that because we need to be social. This is the reason federal schools are rated better than private schools. They are better exposed,” one young man from the International Relations department lamented. And you could tell that it worries him.
Another student also complained, almost irritably that “They subtract your marks every time you do something wrong. Lateness is 20 marks, crossing the lawn is 30 marks; if you miss church or night service, they will also minus your marks. You can’t wear shorts; you can’t pray as a Muslim; that one is 50 marks. And they will also seize your prayer mat and beads.”
The students also complained of overcrowding in the hostels, claiming the school admits more than it can cater for.
The good news however is that a new hostel for the girls is nearing completion, and may well ease the accommodation pressure.
Said a student of Political Science, “We don’t have electricity at all and the rooms are very hot because of over-population. To combat the heat, many of us sleep on the floor, while some sleep outside when there is no light and the rooms get too hot.”
He also said the very impressive website, which claimed 24-hour power supply deceived him.
The students also complained of high cost of food, but say they are helpless.
BABCOCK University, Ilishan-Remo
Babcock University is located at Ilishan Remo, in Shagamu, Ogun State. Founded in 1999, it is owned by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Babcock University runs different schools and a post-graduate college. The schools includes: Law and Security Studies, Nursing, Public and Allied Health, Babcock Business School, Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Basic and Applied Sciences, Computing and Engineering Science, Education and Humanities, and College of Health and Medical Sciences.
The campus is also serene and well-organised, with lots of green.
More of the students expressed satisfaction with services in the institution. They also said they would choose the university again despite the vegan diet that many of them detest.
Adeola Abosede Victoria, a Networking and Telecommunications graduate student scored the school 85 percent in everything but food.
“The school environment is clean and good for our health. The hostel is also okay, we don’t have a problem with it.”
However, many of them think the university should not force students to become vegetarians against their wish. Hence, they want that rule relaxed.
Aside the vegan issue, they also complain of lack of variety in their meal.
“We eat tofu every day except on Fridays, when we eat eggs and noodles.
Another issue that they think should be addressed is the hall policy, which they say encourages segregation.
A former student of the school described his days in the school as ‘worse than secondary school days,’ yet he says this does not necessarily make them the best of breeds.
Students from other universities are still more disciplined than us despite all the rules,” the student said.
Defending the university’s policy on vegetarian diet, Babcock Vice President, Prof Iheanyichukwu Okoro, explained that it is for the students’ wellbeing.”
He said: “The 7th Day Adventist Church is not just concerned about the spiritual well-being of people but also the physical; and it has been proven without doubt in many scientific literatures that vegetarian diet is superior to any meat diet. The church felt it should introduce vegetarianism to the students, and I can tell you that they look healthier in school as a result of the vegetarian diet, than when they go home.”
Continuing, the Vice president said “Students may say members eat meat, but it is the clean meat, according to the bible, that they eat. Pork, dog, camel, vulture can’t be eaten because they are unclean meat. Note also that meat diet exposes people to cancer and all kinds of diseases, and shortens life.
Regarding the rules, Okoro said the school uses them to champion modesty.
“Human beings don’t like to be ‘caged’; they like to do whatever they like. But this is a Christian institution; and we believe in modesty in everything we do. If you look at the Muslims, they believe a woman should not expose any part of their dressing and feel that the Christians have corrupted the world with their dressing. What the church is simply saying is dress well. Do not expose parts that should not be exposed,” he said.
