In a system where scholarship should reign supreme, the creeping shadow of politics now threatens the very foundation of Nigeria’s higher education. The recent controversy surrounding Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya’s professorship and appointment as Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has once again exposed the widening cracks in the nation’s academic integrity.
In a statement issued by Vitality TV and shared with newsmen by Dr. Cynthia Agbo, concerns were raised over the growing perception that academic promotions and leadership appointments are increasingly being influenced by political connections rather than scholarly merit.
Universities are meant to stand as sanctuaries of knowledge, where advancement is earned through rigorous research, verified publications, and a lifetime of contribution to human development. However, when political favoritism begins to dictate who wears the professorial robe, the essence of academia is compromised — and the credibility of institutions begins to erode.
“The danger,” education reform advocates warn, “is that once politics replaces merit, excellence becomes optional, and mediocrity becomes institutionalized.” This sentiment captures the frustration of many hardworking lecturers whose years of sacrifice are often overlooked in favor of political loyalty.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with its proud legacy and global reputation, must therefore reaffirm its commitment to transparency, fairness, and academic standards. Promotions and appointments should be grounded in verifiable records of teaching, research, and community service — not political influence.
Allowing political maneuvering to determine who leads or teaches not only demoralizes deserving scholars but also weakens students’ faith in the value of education itself.
Nigeria’s universities must urgently reclaim their moral and intellectual independence. To restore credibility, the academic community should push for stronger oversight by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and transparent publication of professorial promotions across all tertiary institutions.
If merit continues to give way to political expediency, the erosion of academia will not just affect universities — it will undermine the nation’s entire future.
As one senior academic reform advocate aptly put it,
“Nigeria’s progress will not be built on political connections, but on classrooms that reward merit, hard work, and integrity.”
#AcademicIntegrity #UNN #MeritOverPolitics #AccountabilityInEducation
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