The Federal Government’s plan to phase out certain university courses it considers irrelevant to the economy has sparked strong reactions from student leaders and undergraduates across the country, with many describing the move as an attack on academic freedom.
The controversy stems from comments made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who singled out several social science disciplines as irrelevant. He went further to suggest that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) should not be extended to students pursuing such degrees, a statement that has since caused significant unease on campuses.
The Executive Director of Special Duties for the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, Comrade Salako Olawale Ayomipo, was among the first to respond. A Master’s student at Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ayomipo argued that dismissing entire disciplines ignores the real structural problems within Nigeria’s labour market. He pointed out that fields like Economics, Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology are globally recognised, and that many Nigerian graduates from these departments are thriving abroad. In his view, the problem is not the courses themselves but a curriculum that has not kept up with industry trends.
He called for modernisation rather than elimination, insisting that the conversation should be about reform and not the outright scrapping of departments.
Southwest Secretary General of NANS Zone D, Comrade Ojetola Babatunde Yussuf, echoed this position, stating that no knowledge is a waste. He also took aim at the proposed loan restrictions, stressing that NELFUND was created for all Nigerian students and should not be used as a tool to discriminate based on course of study.
The anxiety is already being felt by students on the ground. A 400-level Psychology student at the University of Lagos, Alaran Halima, described the threat to withhold loans as deeply unfair to students who have already committed years to their chosen fields.
“I think my curriculum is outdated. I am studying Psychology and we do more theoretical learning than practical which should not be. The only saving grace is internships, which my school does not even offer,” she said.
A 400-level English student, Agha Virginia, shared similar concerns, saying the labelling of certain courses was unjust. She also noted that her department’s reading lists are outdated and fail to reflect modern African literature. On the loan issue, she was direct.
“I was never a big fan of NELFUND but regardless, it is not everyone that has the financial support to go through school comfortably. Restricting loans based on course choice will limit a lot of people’s opportunity,” she said.
Ayomipo closed the debate with a call for a more inclusive approach to the proposed curriculum changes, insisting that student representatives and industry experts must have a seat at the table. He also reiterated that education funding like NELFUND should empower every Nigerian student, regardless of their field of study.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
