- A major concern is the outdated curricula in African universities. Prof. Oyewole explained that “many programs in African universities are a mix of colonial models and nationalist inputs that made sense decades ago.”
- The student-to-faculty ratio in many African institutions is alarmingly high, and faculty members are often underpaid. This affects the quality of education, as students do not receive adequate attention and instruction.
- By fostering innovation and adopting learner-centred teaching methods, African universities can better equip students to contribute to the continent’s growth.
African universities are facing a growing array of challenges that threaten their role in research, innovation, and development. Investment in technology, digitisation, and institutional policies aimed at fostering collaboration and sustainable growth have not kept pace with global standards.
During the Second Edition of the Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE) Webinar Series, titled From Global to Inter-Regional Higher Education, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General of the Association of African Universities (AAU), delivered a detailed and insightful analysis of the state of African universities.
He highlighted their deep-rooted challenges while emphasising their critical role in shaping Africa’s future.
Universities’ Pivotal Role in Africa’s Growth:
African universities are crucial for the continent’s human capital development, research, and innovation. Prof. Oyewole stressed that urgent reforms are necessary to ensure their relevance in modern Africa, as they are essential to driving the continent’s economic and social progress.
A Legacy of Indigenous Knowledge Systems:
Africa has a rich history of education, with civilisations like ancient Egypt developing writing systems as early as 3200 BCE. Iconic centres of learning, such as the University of Timbuktu, founded in 1110 CE, were landmarks in African intellectual history.
However, Prof. Oyewole noted that many early African educational institutions did not offer university-level education as understood today.
“The first recognised universities in Africa include Al Quaraouiyine University in Morocco, established in 859 AD, and Al Azhar University in Egypt, founded in 970 AD. These institutions laid the foundation for higher learning across the continent,” Prof. Oyewole explained.
East Africa’s Makerere University, founded in Uganda in 1922, stands as the oldest higher education institution in the region and symbolises the growth of education on the continent.
However, Prof. Oyewole pointed out that many African universities now grapple with complex challenges rooted in historical legacies and modern realities.
A major concern is the outdated curricula in African universities. Prof. Oyewole explained that “many programs in African universities are a mix of colonial models and nationalist inputs that made sense decades ago.”
These curricula have failed to keep pace with the rapid changes in society and the global job market, leaving them intellectually outdated and professionally irrelevant.
This mismatch between educational content and practical needs has resulted in graduates being unprepared for the workforce. While some universities have attempted reforms, there is still a significant gap in aligning curricula with the knowledge and skills needed to foster Africa’s growth.
Insufficient Resources and Overcrowding:
The growing demand for higher education in Africa has overwhelmed many universities. Overcrowded classrooms, insufficient faculty, and inadequate facilities are widespread problems. He noted that “universities across Africa are struggling to provide quality education because they lack the resources to meet rising demand.”
The student-to-faculty ratio in many African institutions is alarmingly high, and faculty members are often underpaid. This affects the quality of education, as students do not receive adequate attention and instruction.
Furthermore, the low salaries for academic staff discourage qualified professionals from joining university faculties, perpetuating a cycle of understaffing and low education standards.
Minimal Research Funding and Limited Global Impact:
Globally, universities are hubs of research and innovation, but African institutions lag in this area due to insufficient funding. Most research at African universities is funded by international sources, with minimal domestic support. This reliance on foreign funding limits African universities’ capacity to address local challenges through research.
Prof. Oyewole highlighted that this lack of funding contributes to African universities’ relatively small contributions to global scientific research. A weak research culture further diminishes the professional and intellectual output of these institutions, undermining their ability to address pressing issues on the continent.
Persistent Inequalities and Brain Drain:
Despite improvements in access to education, significant disparities exist within African universities. Students from rural areas and marginalised communities face barriers to admission and affordability.
Furthermore, few institutions provide the facilities necessary to accommodate students with physical impairments. Gender disparities are also prevalent, with female students often facing cultural and financial obstacles.
The “brain drain” phenomenon further exacerbates the challenges African universities face. Many of the continent’s top academics and researchers leave for better opportunities abroad, depriving local institutions of talent and weakening their capacity to deliver quality education and impactful research.
Digital Technology and Political Instability:
The global revolution in digital technology has largely bypassed many African universities. Inadequate internet connectivity, high data costs, and limited access to digital learning devices are major barriers. These challenges prevent students from taking advantage of online education, leaving them behind.
In regions affected by political instability, universities have been severely impacted. Professors have been forced into exile, intellectual resources have been destroyed, and the academic environment has become unsafe. These disruptions have dismantled the intellectual foundations of universities in conflict-ridden areas.
Contributions to Africa’s Development:
Despite these challenges, African universities have made remarkable contributions to the continent’s development.
Prof. Oyewole praised institutions such as Makerere University’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, which has helped improve food security through research on drought-resistant crops and modern farming practices.
He also highlighted the work of Nigeria’s Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, which has advanced agricultural research and helped rural farmers implement modern farming techniques.
In South Africa, the University of Cape Town has made significant strides in global health, particularly in HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis research, while Nigeria’s University of Ibadan has contributed to public health, especially in the fight against diseases like malaria and Lassa fever.
Regional Cooperation and the Call for Reform:
Prof. Oyewole emphasised the importance of regional cooperation among African universities. Collaborating across borders would maximise shared resources, promote joint research, and mitigate the brain drain phenomenon.
Organisations like the AAU play a crucial role in fostering partnerships and facilitating the exchange of knowledge across the continent.
To truly empower African universities, urgent reforms are needed.
Prof. Oyewole advocates for curricular decolonisation to make education more relevant to African realities. He pointed to institutions like Ashesi University in Ghana and Stellenbosch University in South Africa, which have integrated entrepreneurship and leadership into their programmes to prepare students to become job creators.
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Investments in technology, digitisation, and public-private partnerships are also essential. By fostering innovation and adopting learner-centred teaching methods, African universities can better equip students to contribute to the continent’s growth.
Prof. Oyewole’s message is clear: African universities are at a critical juncture. Although they face significant challenges, they also hold immense potential to drive Africa’s development. By reforming outdated systems, investing in research and innovation, and fostering collaboration, African universities can become vibrant hubs of knowledge and progress.
In a rapidly changing world, African universities must step up and become leaders in education and development, ensuring that the continent’s brightest minds are equipped to solve today’s challenges and those of the future.
Thank you Prof Olusola Oyewole for your insights of identifying the needs and gaps in the higher education system in our universities. Kindly you’re our eyes, therefore I urge you to use your position and influence to advise our governments to increase their funding on research and innovation especially on indigenous seeds which being replaced by genetically modified organic seeds which has posed a threat to the loss of indigenous seeds.
Good article