Some Nigerian university students have called for urgent reforms in the country’s tertiary education system, citing poor infrastructure, inadequate practical training and the rising cost of education.

The students, who spoke in separate interviews, said Nigerian universities had the potential to produce graduates capable of competing globally, but several challenges continued to affect the quality of education.

Ewache Nelson, a 100-level Public Administration student at Benue State University, Makurdi, said the education system had great potential despite the challenges confronting it.

“In my opinion, the Nigerian education system, particularly at the university level, has great potential but still faces many challenges. Nigerian universities have qualified lecturers and students with the ability to excel.

“But issues of inadequate facilities, poor funding and frequent academic disruptions are holding us back,” he said.

Nelson also identified the high cost of education, poor internet access, limited accommodation and unreliable electricity as some of the challenges affecting students.

He called for increased funding, improved infrastructure and stronger partnerships between universities and industries.

“Universities should also strengthen practical and vocational training, encourage research and innovation, improve teaching methods, and make administrative processes more efficient,” he said.

He added that more internship opportunities, entrepreneurship programmes and career guidance would help prepare students for employment and life after graduation.

Ogebe Judge, a 200-level student of the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), also expressed concern about the state of university education.

Judge described the education system as “severely lacking in many aspects”, citing outdated curricula, overcrowding in public universities and the high cost of private education.

He said the rising cost of living had also forced some students to work while studying.

“Most students don’t have enough money to survive, and due to the ever-rising cost of living, they have to work to sustain themselves while in school, which often affects their academic performance,” he said.

Judge therefore called for curriculum reforms, affordable education, more job opportunities, as well as skills and career training for students.

Similarly, Mojeed Davies, a 400-level Chemistry student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), said Nigerian universities had produced many brilliant graduates but still faced limitations.

Davies advocated improved digital infrastructure and a shift from predominantly theoretical teaching to more practical learning.

He also said students needed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills to prepare them for the workplace and life after graduation.

For Okpalanedu Martha, a 400-level Development and Strategic Communication Studies student at the University of Abuja, the situation was worrisome.

Martha cited poor learning environments, inadequate hostel accommodation and the rising cost of living as some of the challenges confronting students.

She called for more scholarships, business grants and skills-development opportunities, while also advocating better working conditions for university lecturers.

Martha said her industrial training had exposed her to practical realities beyond the classroom and helped her understand the importance of practical experience.

Olorunloju Naomi, a 200-level Mass Communication student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), focused on the need to prepare students before they enter university.

“Students should be made aware of what they are getting into. Orientation should be done even before they gain admission,” she said.

Naomi also noted that universities needed to do more to prepare students for employment and life after graduation.

The students collectively urged the government and university authorities to improve infrastructure, reduce the financial burden on students and strengthen practical learning.

They also called for better career guidance and stronger partnerships between universities and industries to enable students to acquire relevant skills and work experience before graduation.

(NAN)