UNILAG Faces Lecturer Shortage: Ex-Vice Chancellor Sheds Light on Financial Struggles
Ex-VC Reveals: Why 239 First-Class Lecturers Left UNILAG Over Pay Disputes
A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has disclosed that at least 239 first-class graduates who joined the institution as lecturers have since left, largely due to unresolved salary and welfare disputes.
The revelation came during a public lecture on the challenges facing Nigeria’s university system, where the ex-VC lamented that poor remuneration and lack of incentives were driving the country’s brightest minds away from academia.
According to him, many of the first-class graduates initially accepted lecturing positions out of passion and commitment to nation-building but soon became frustrated by stagnant pay, inadequate research funding, and harsh working conditions. Most have since migrated to private institutions or left the country in search of better opportunities.
He warned that if the trend persists, Nigeria’s public universities risk losing their competitive edge, as the departure of top-tier lecturers undermines teaching quality, mentorship, and research output.
The disclosure has reignited debates on the urgent need for government-university staff unions’ dialogue, with stakeholders stressing that revitalizing the sector requires prioritizing staff welfare and academic infrastructure.
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