The Federal Government’s proposal to phase out university courses considered irrelevant to Nigeria’s economic needs has drawn sharp reactions from education stakeholders, particularly over fears that social science programmes may be affected.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the plan during a “Renewed Hope Conversation” with students at the University of Abuja, stating that the government was aligning higher education with labour market demands and global trends.
Alausa said the era of pursuing degrees with limited practical value was ending. “We are phasing out some of these courses that are deceiving you… we are training you in market-relevant courses,” he said, warning that some disciplines may offer fewer job prospects in the future.
He added that reforms would prioritise entrepreneurship and digital skills, including Artificial Intelligence and data science, while introducing the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EPIC) as a compulsory component of tertiary education by 2027.
The minister also cautioned students against taking loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for courses with uncertain career prospects, stressing that education must translate into employability and self-reliance.
However, the proposal has been criticised by key stakeholders. The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) argued that courses should be reformed rather than scrapped. Its president, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, said academic programmes should evolve to reflect technological changes such as automation and AI, rather than be eliminated entirely.
Similarly, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) questioned the basis for determining a course’s relevance. Its president, Dr. Makolo Hassan, said the value of any discipline lies in its curriculum, not its title, warning against dismissing fields such as history or language studies.
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) also urged caution, calling for wider consultation and detailed clarification before any policy is implemented. Its president, Haruna Danjuma, said parents needed assurance that their investments in education would not be undermined.
While the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has yet to issue an official position, some university officials say more details are required to fully assess the proposal.
The minister maintained that the reforms are aimed at strengthening the education system and preparing graduates for a competitive global economy, but critics warn that without careful implementation, the policy could narrow academic diversity and disrupt the university system.
