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| Nigerian Universities Ranked Among Least Transparent Institutions Globally |
Nigerian universities rank among the least transparent globally, as no institution discloses budgets or audited accounts. Report urges urgent reforms.
Nigerian Universities Transparency Report 2025
A new report by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has ranked Nigerian universities among the least transparent institutions worldwide. The study, titled “A National Embarrassment: Reforming Transparency in Nigerian Universities to Unlock Global Funding and Restore Credibility”, surveyed 64 universities across federal, state, and private levels.
Shockingly, none of the universities published their budgets, audited financial statements, or visitation panel reports on their official websites.
Key Findings From the Report
The survey highlighted several worrying trends in Nigeria’s higher education sector:
- No university disclosed details of internally generated revenue (IGR) or how such funds were utilized.
- Requests for financial information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act were routinely ignored or denied.
- The secrecy around financial data has created barriers to global partnerships and donor funding.
According to the report, this lack of transparency is undermining the credibility and competitiveness of Nigerian universities on the international stage.
Why Transparency Matters in Higher Education
Osita Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre, described the findings as a “major indictment” of Nigerian higher education. He emphasized that:
- Transparency is the foundation of trust, accountability, and credibility.
- Financial secrecy discourages donors, weakens partnerships, and reduces research opportunities.
- Global studies show that transparent universities secure more grants, collaborations, and international students.
Chidoka stressed that “the time for excuses is over,” urging universities to embrace openness and accountability if they hope to compete globally.
For more insights on higher education reforms, visit the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Recommended Reforms for Nigerian Universities
The report made several recommendations to restore credibility and improve governance within Nigerian higher institutions:
- Ensure strict compliance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
These reforms, if adopted, could help Nigerian universities attract more international funding and collaborations.
The Bigger Picture: Funding and Accountability
This report comes at a time when Nigerian universities are battling poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, and low global rankings. Experts argue that without transparency and accountability, sustainable funding will remain a distant dream.
To follow ongoing updates on university reforms and governance policies, candidates and stakeholders can also monitor developments on the JAMB official portal and NUC’s announcements.
The ranking of Nigerian universities as some of the least transparent globally serves as a wake-up call for urgent reforms. Transparency is not just about publishing numbers—it’s about restoring trust, unlocking international partnerships, and ensuring the future of higher education in Nigeria.
Until universities embrace accountability, global recognition and sustainable funding will remain elusive.
