I never planned to write this article. But after spending three hours in Professor Adamu’s office last month, listening to him share stories that would shock most parents, I realized someone needed to tell the truth about what really happens behind closed doors in Nigerian universities.
Professor Adamu has been teaching at one of Nigeria’s top federal universities for 18 years. What he told me that afternoon changed everything I thought I knew about higher education in this country.
The Conversation That Started Everything
“You want to know the real problem with Nigerian students today?” Professor Adamu asked, leaning back in his worn leather chair. “It’s not their intelligence. These kids are brilliant. The problem is that nobody prepared them for what university actually requires.”
He pulled out a stack of examination scripts from his desk drawer. “Look at this,” he said, pointing to a student’s answer. “This young man can recite the entire textbook word for word, but ask him to apply the knowledge to solve a real problem, and he’s completely lost.”
This wasn’t just one lecturer’s opinion. Over the past two months, I’ve spoken with 15 university lecturers across different institutions and disciplines. Their stories reveal a crisis that parents, students, and even university administrators don’t want to acknowledge.
What Lecturers Really See in the Classroom
The Memorization Epidemic
Dr. Kemi Ogundimu from the University of Ibadan put it bluntly: “Students come to university thinking education is about memorizing and regurgitating information. They’ve been trained by the secondary school system to be human photocopiers, not thinkers.”
She showed me exam papers where students had written perfect textbook definitions but couldn’t explain what those definitions meant in simple terms. “I once asked a final-year student to explain photosynthesis to a 10-year-old. He couldn’t do it, despite scoring A’s in all his botany courses.”
The Critical Thinking Gap
Professor Emeka Nwosu from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, shared an even more disturbing observation: “When I ask students to analyze a case study or propose solutions to problems, they look at me like I’m speaking a foreign language. They want me to tell them exactly what to write so they can memorize it.”
He described a recent class where he asked students to debate the pros and cons of a government policy. “Out of 120 students, only three could present coherent arguments. The rest just sat there, waiting for me to provide the ‘correct’ answer they could copy into their notebooks.”
The Stories That Will Break Your Heart
Amina’s Struggle
Amina scored 347 in JAMB and gained admission to study Computer Science. Her parents were proud, expecting her to graduate and land a high-paying tech job. But by her second year, she was failing most of her courses.
“The problem wasn’t her intelligence,” explained Dr. Bello, her lecturer. “Amina had never been taught to think logically or solve problems step by step. She could memorize programming syntax perfectly, but couldn’t write a simple program to solve basic problems.”
Dr. Bello spent extra hours with Amina, teaching her problem-solving techniques that should have been learned in secondary school. “It took two years to undo the damage caused by 12 years of rote learning. She eventually graduated with a 2.1, but imagine what she could have achieved if she’d been properly prepared.”
The Brilliant Student Who Couldn’t Graduate
Professor Adamu told me about Chinedu, one of the most intelligent students he’d ever taught. “This young man could solve complex mathematical equations in his head, but he couldn’t write a coherent paragraph to save his life.”
Chinedu failed his final-year project three times, not because he didn’t understand the technical aspects, but because he couldn’t communicate his ideas clearly in writing. “He eventually graduated after I spent months teaching him basic writing skills. It was heartbreaking to watch such talent almost go to waste.”
What Lecturers Wish Parents Knew
The Real Skills Your Child Needs
After speaking with multiple lecturers, I compiled a list of skills they desperately wish students had before entering university:
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Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information and form independent opinions
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Communication Skills: Writing clearly and speaking confidently
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Research Abilities: Finding, evaluating, and synthesizing information from multiple sources
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Time Management: Balancing multiple responsibilities and meeting deadlines
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Self-Directed Learning: Taking initiative to learn beyond what’s taught in class
The Questions They Want Students to Ask
“Instead of asking ‘What should I read for the exam?’, I wish students would ask ‘How can I apply this knowledge to solve real problems?'” said Dr. Funmi Adebayo from Lagos State University.
Professor Nwosu added: “The best students are those who challenge my ideas respectfully, who come to my office with thoughtful questions, who see learning as a conversation, not a one-way transfer of information.”
The Hidden Curriculum Crisis
What’s Really Happening in Lectures
Dr. Ogundimu revealed something that shocked me: “I spend 60% of my lecture time teaching basic skills that students should have learned in secondary school. Instead of diving deep into advanced concepts, I’m explaining how to take notes, how to read academic texts, how to participate in discussions.”
This “hidden curriculum” crisis means that university students are essentially repeating secondary school lessons instead of engaging with university-level content. “By the time I finish teaching them how to learn, the semester is almost over,” she explained.
The Grading Dilemma
Professor Adamu shared a secret that many lecturers struggle with: “If I graded students based on true university standards, 80% would fail. But the system pressures us to pass students who aren’t ready. So we lower our standards, and everyone pretends the problem doesn’t exist.”
This grade inflation means that students graduate without truly mastering their subjects, leading to the unemployable graduate crisis Nigeria faces today.
The Success Stories: Students Who Break the Mold
Tolu’s Transformation
Not all stories are discouraging. Dr. Bello told me about Tolu, a student who struggled initially but transformed herself through deliberate effort.
“Tolu realized she had gaps in her learning approach during her first year. Instead of making excuses, she asked for help. She joined study groups, attended extra tutorials, and most importantly, she started asking ‘why’ instead of just ‘what’.”
Tolu graduated with first-class honors and now works as a software developer for a multinational company. “The difference was her willingness to unlearn bad habits and develop new ones,” Dr. Bello explained.
The Self-Directed Learners
Professor Nwosu identified a pattern among his most successful students: “They don’t wait for me to spoon-feed them information. They read beyond the recommended texts, they connect concepts from different courses, they seek out real-world applications of what they’re learning.”
These students often come from families that encouraged curiosity and independent thinking from an early age. “Their parents didn’t just focus on grades; they focused on understanding and application.”
What Parents Can Do Right Now
Start Early (Even If Your Child Is Already in University)
The lecturers I spoke with emphasized that it’s never too late to develop critical thinking skills. Here’s what they recommend:
For Parents of Secondary School Students:
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Encourage your child to explain concepts in their own words
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Ask “why” and “how” questions about their homework
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Discuss current events and ask for their opinions
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Limit rote memorization and focus on understanding
For Parents of University Students:
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Encourage your child to visit lecturers during office hours
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Support participation in academic clubs and societies
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Emphasize learning over grades
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Encourage internships and practical experiences
The Lecturers’ Advice for Students
Build Relationships with Your Lecturers
“Students think we’re unapproachable, but most of us became lecturers because we love teaching,” said Dr. Adebayo. “Come to our offices, ask questions, engage with the material. We notice students who show genuine interest.”
Read Beyond the Curriculum
Professor Adamu’s advice: “Don’t just read what I assign. Read newspapers, magazines, online articles related to your field. The best students are those who can connect classroom concepts to real-world issues.”
Develop Your Communication Skills
“Join the debate society, write for the school magazine, participate in presentations,” urged Dr. Ogundimu. “These skills will serve you better than any grade you earn.”
The Future of Nigerian Higher Education
Changes on the Horizon
Some universities are beginning to address these issues. The University of Lagos recently introduced a critical thinking course for all first-year students. Covenant University has implemented problem-based learning in several departments.
“We’re slowly realizing that we need to change how we teach, not just what we teach,” explained Professor Nwosu. “But change is slow in the university system.”
The Technology Factor
Dr. Bello believes technology could be part of the solution: “Online learning platforms, AI tutors, virtual reality simulations – these tools could help students develop the skills they’re missing. But we need to use technology to enhance thinking, not replace it.”
The Uncomfortable Truth
After all these conversations, one thing became clear: the problem isn’t just with students or lecturers or parents. It’s systemic. Our entire educational approach, from primary school through university, prioritizes memorization over understanding, compliance over creativity, grades over growth.
But within this broken system, there are lecturers fighting to make a difference, students determined to learn, and parents willing to change their approach. The question is: which side of this divide will your child be on?
The Choice Is Yours
Your child’s university experience doesn’t have to be a disappointment. Armed with this insider knowledge, you can help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The lecturers are waiting for students who come prepared to think, to question, to engage.
Will your child be one of them?
Have you noticed these issues with your own child’s education? What steps are you taking to address them? Share your experiences and let’s start a conversation about real educational reform.
Remember: University is not just about getting a degree. It’s about developing the mind. Make sure your child is ready for that challenge.