The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to significantly increase budgetary allocations to federal universities in the 2025 budget, in an effort to combat the alarming brain drain currently plaguing the nation’s higher education system.
During a plenary session on Tuesday, this resolution was passed following a motion presented by Senator Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South). The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Address the Challenges of Increasing Cases of Brain Drain in the Nigerian University System”, brought to light the exodus of highly skilled professionals from the academic sector, driven by insufficient remuneration and poor working conditions.
Senator Ani emphasized that the dire situation has left many universities struggling, with some operating with less than half of the required academic staff. This shortage has not only affected the quality of education but has also widened the skill gap in the workforce, thereby stifling economic development.
In light of these challenges, the Senate has directed its relevant committees to work closely with the Ministries of Finance, Education, and Health. This collaboration aims to devise comprehensive strategies to address the infrastructural decay and enhance the remuneration packages for university lecturers, making the academic environment more conducive and attractive.
By advocating for increased funding, the Senate hopes to retain skilled professionals within the country and improve the overall quality of higher education. The motion underscored the importance of investing in the educational sector as a critical pathway to national development.
