For many Nigerian students, university life is not just a pursuit of knowledge; it is a fight for survival. Dilapidated classrooms, underpaid lecturers, outdated materials, and a general atmosphere of fatigue have become normal. The university system, once proud and productive, is struggling under the heavy weight of underfunding and government neglect.

Once upon a time, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was the frontline voice for these institutions. But in the post-2022 strike era, many say ASUU has grown quieter; not because the problems are gone, but because they’re afraid of being punished. “Since the Buhari administration left them unpaid for months during the last strike, ASUU is no longer bold enough to challenge the system,” a youth contributor remarked in a recent IPledge2NigeriaTV conversation.

UI SU writes President Buhari, Demands End to ASUU Strike » UNION OF CAMPUS JOURNALISTS-University of Ibadan

So what happens now?

What Young Nigerians Are Saying:

We spoke to a few passionate Nigerian youths about possible ways forward, especially in a situation where the government seems absent and the unions are silenced. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Look to Alumni for Support

One idea that stood out was the power of alumni networks. In many world-class universities abroad, alumni are a major source of funding, mentorship, and infrastructural development. A young contributor said, “Our alumni can do more; we just need a system that invites them, tracks them, and gives them reasons to give back.” If universities can create well-managed alumni boards, they can tap into generations of professionals who once sat in those same classrooms.

Alumni associations lift poorly-funded alma maters - Punch Newspapers

2. Self-Funding Through Innovation

Another suggestion was that universities should move toward generating their own revenue. Some Nigerian universities already run bread bakeries, sachet water factories, and even cement production. Teaching hospitals also have the potential to be well-run income sources. The issue, as some rightly noted, is management and political interference. But if run transparently, these ventures could fund labs, improve staff welfare, and reduce dependence on unpredictable federal allocations.

3. Government Should Step Back and Support

A few contributors mentioned that universities should be more autonomous; free to pursue public-private partnerships, research grants, and business ventures; while the government focuses on regulatory support and base funding. “The current system makes universities wait for government money like beggars,” one said. “We need to break that cycle.”

4. Youth Advocacy and Policy Participation

As students and young professionals, we must also be part of the advocacy. Beyond hashtags and protests, youth must engage with education policies, attend town halls, and even consider student-led petitions and proposals. Change doesn’t always come from the top. Sometimes, it begins in WhatsApp groups, campus discussions, and community action.

Hardship: We don't support protest - Lagos students - Daily Post Nigeria

Final Thoughts

Yes, our universities are in a tight place. But the future isn’t hopeless. As youths, we cannot afford to wait for ASUU to rise or for government policy to catch up. We must start thinking, speaking, and acting like stakeholders in the education sector.

Let us support our schools, hold our leaders accountable, and be the generation that didn’t just complain; but contributed.

Join the conversation….

What’s your own take?

How else can we save our universities?

Please drop your comments below 👇🏽

Beyond the Strike: Can Nigeria’s Universities Survive Without Government By Fatima Adamu

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