Studying in Nigeria University is not for the faint of heart so for you to make it out in one piece, you need to apply some rules that have helped many who have been in this situation.
Nigeria being a third-world country, has so many setbacks that have even affected its academics which is rated as one of the most performed schools in Africa.
This is basically because of her leader, who prioritizes selfish interests rather than putting effort into making sure students are cared for and are provided with the adequate tools that will facilitate adequate studies and good education.
I did a survey some time ago where visited 10 universities in Nigeria. In my survey, I interviewed at least 10 students in each of the schools, asking them about the problems they are facing with their studies and ways they have been able to overcome them in their ways.
Many of them said that they have not actually overcome them but have found a way to maneuver it so that it will not greatly affect them in the quest to get higher education.
Others said they try their best to live with it since they can not do anything about it, so the best option they have is to find a way and make it a norm among them because that is reality.
To date, nothing has been done to take care of this problem that many university students face, and the feature is not looking good as there haven’t been any steps that have been promised to take place toward fixing those issues.
As someone who wants to further his or her education in Nigeria, I understand that you must be worried about this problem and how you will be able to overcome it.
At Eduprada, our priority is to make your education easier by providing the information you need to make your education and studies easier because we understand how difficult it can be.
Today, we are focusing on the challenges students in Nigerian universities face and will also give you possible solutions you can apply to overcome or manage them.
I study risk management and have applied it in almost all aspects of my life, which has significantly improved my life for the better.
Applying the suggestions I will give you here will help you so much in improving the quality of your studies and also assist you in walking through the paths that have helped so many students in Nigerian universities.
1. Poor Study Infrastructure and Facilities
One thing Nigerian Universities are known for is their overwhelming poor infrastructure and really bad facilities for students to study.
This is the number one reason students gave me on my survey. Many of them complain of sitting on the floor during lectures due to the lack of enough seating to accommodate all the students.
Many complain of a lack of laboratory tools for them to use during their practicals. When a student can not comfortably practice what he or she is studying, there will be a lot the student will miss out, and when he ventures into the world to use the acquired knowledge to solve real-life problems, the person will greatly lack due to poor education.
Possible Solution
You can not provide the school with the tools they didn’t provide for your studies, so in order to personally improve in that area, you should visit industries that are already in your field of research and volunteer as an intern.
I have a friend who studied mechanical engineering at a top Nigerian university; because there are no adequate practical tools for him to study, he often visits Innosin Motors, which is a Nigerian manufacturing company, to volunteer as an internship student so that he can acquire practical knowledge of what he is learning.
You can apply that in your field of study so you can, in a way, overcome those challenges and make your studies worth it.
2. ASUU Strikes
One of the greatest fears of every student in Nigerian university is the ASUU strike. ASUU is the board that controls the higher institution body of Nigeria, which includes the staff and everything that has to do with the management of the higher institutions in the country.
They often go on strike, causing academic activities to pause for months, which will then increase the number of years students spend in school.
A course that is made to last for 4 years can last to 7 years, which is a big problem for students, especially those who did not gain admission on time.
For years, there has not been anything done by the government to handle the situation, and there is no hope of it ending anytime soon.
Students have no choice but to go back to their parent’s houses till the strike, which can take up to months, ends.
Possible Solution
As a Nigerian university student, you do not have control over the ASUU strike, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to make use of it to acquire skills you do not have.
Many students use that period to learn IT skills like programming, Internet marketing, and social media management.
Others use it to start businesses in school that they can venture fully after graduating as a life career that will be able to take care of them and their children.
Do not let the ASUU strike break your spirit. Rather, use that opportunity to learn something very practical that people need in real life.
3. No Available Job After Years Of Study
These are the three ultimate spirit killers for students. A student in a Nigerian university will go through years of study knowing fully that there is no available job for him or her upon graduation.
This has made many students put their studies a secondary priority and focus on others. They quickly skim to earn money in the hope that they will get some money from their taking care of things and possibly make it their main source of income.
Possible Solution
Since this is a well-known fact, be sure to get one skill that will help you after school so that your certificate will not be the main source of hope to you.
I highly advise you to acquire IT skills, and you do not even need to pay for them. Use your mobile data, go on YouTube, and watch some tutorials on one IT skill or the other.
You can learn the following free courses on YouTube.
- Data Analytics
- Web and App development
- Python course
- Web Designing
- WordPress
- Graphics Designing
- Animation
- Video editing
These courses will put food on your table or even give you the kind of money you never expected in your life.
4. Cultism
Cultism is another challenge students face in Nigerian universities. Though not every student in Nigeria is a cult member, the activities of these cult groups affect students in so many ways.
There are times when cult activities disrupt academic sections in school, making it difficult for students to go to class or even read at night inside the school premises.
Possible Solution
Make sure you do not live very close to a school or, if you should, get a place inside the school campus, as cult activities often do not affect students living in such places.
5. Corruption In Academic Or S*x For Marks
Many times in the news, we hear of lecturers and professors pestring students, especially the female ones, to sl**p with them in order to pass their courses.
The resentment of that of a professor in UNN who failed a female married student because she refused to have int*macy with him.
This is a nom in a Nigerian university, and I have been like that for several years. Students who have been affected can’t get over this trauma it brings to their studies. So many have taken their lives because of that.
Not every student faces this problem, but you can never tell, so it’s best you prepare yourself for this kind of situation because we never can tell.
Possible Solution
You need to study as hard as possible in Nigeria university to avoid this kind of situation. A student who faces this kind of problem are those who do not put much effort into their studies, so passing the lecture will make them promise that if they have something to do with him or her, they can pass it.
A lecturer has no dirt on you if you write well in their exam; there is nothing to hold you with other than passing you in their course. So, always make sure you get at least 60 marks in their subject as they are only allowed to deduct 10 marks, regardless of the offense you may have committed.
Conclusion
Nigeria University is not an easy place to be; I will always advise you to stay strong in your studies, use every opportunity to learn, and make useful friends while there because your future may depend on it after school.