Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
As Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, celebrates its 63rd anniversary, the institution’s leadership has sounded a serious warning about the ongoing loss of skilled academic and non-academic staff to better-paying opportunities both within and outside Nigeria.
At a press briefing to mark the milestone, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, delivered what can best be described as a sobering reflection on the state of Nigeria’s premier northern university. In an investigative review of ABU’s operations over the past decade, the data presented by the Vice-Chancellor exposes a deepening crisis that mirrors a broader national trend — the systematic erosion of talent from public universities due to neglect, underfunding, and poor remuneration.
“It is disheartening to state that the university has lost nearly 2,000 staff members in the last five years,” Prof. Ahmed lamented, describing the attrition rate as “alarming and unsustainable.”
According to internal records obtained by Stone Reporters News, many of those who have left were among ABU’s most experienced lecturers, researchers, and technical staff — professionals who now serve in universities across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Investigations reveal that while some left due to poor pay, others cited obsolete infrastructure, bureaucratic stagnation, and lack of research funding as major reasons for their exit.
The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that one of the university’s flagship programmes is now staffed by about 95 percent professors, an unsustainable structure that could hinder mentorship and threaten the department’s future accreditation. This situation, analysts say, underscores the collapse of academic succession planning, as young scholars leave in droves without replacements.
Prof. Ahmed also drew attention to chronic funding shortfalls, which have crippled ABU’s efforts to rehabilitate aging facilities, modernize laboratories, expand its library network, and maintain international research collaborations. He noted that while the institution’s academic standards remain resilient, sustaining them under current conditions is becoming increasingly difficult.
In response, the university is implementing a strategic plan to modernize teaching and learning, focusing on technology integration and digital transformation. One of the key initiatives is the strengthening of ABU’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC) — the largest in Nigeria — to expand access to quality education, particularly for working-class Nigerians and those in remote areas.
“We plan to strengthen the Distance Learning Centre to ensure that no family is left behind,” Prof. Ahmed affirmed, adding that the project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on inclusive education and reduced inequality.
He also issued a heartfelt appeal to ABU’s vast network of alumni — many of whom occupy influential positions in government, academia, and the private sector — urging them to “give back” through endowments, annual donations, and mentorship programmes. “The university’s future depends on collective responsibility,” he emphasized.
Despite the grim outlook, Prof. Ahmed commended the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating reforms in the education sector and broader economy. However, he stressed that without tangible investment in staff welfare, infrastructure, and research, Nigeria risks losing its remaining intellectual capital.
As ABU turns 63, the institution stands at a crossroads — balancing a proud legacy of excellence with the urgent need for renewal. What is at stake, experts warn, is not just the future of one university, but the sustainability of Nigeria’s entire higher education system.
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