Nigerian universities rank among the least transparent higher education institutions in the world, according to a new report that highlights entrenched financial secrecy and chronic underfunding across the sector.
The report found that none of Nigeria’s universities discloses even partial financial data, unlike peer institutions in South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana. This opacity, it noted, deters international donors, private investors, and philanthropic organisations that require transparency before committing funds.
“This systemic secrecy is a national embarrassment, as institutions meant to be centres of learning instead model unaccountability to students, staff, and the public, deepening a culture of corruption,” the report stated.
It linked financial secrecy to persistent underinvestment, which has resulted in widespread infrastructural decay. Laboratories and libraries are outdated, student housing is overcrowded and poorly ventilated, while classrooms remain inadequate in both number and quality. These deficits, the report said, hinder research output, innovation, and teaching quality.
By contrast, universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and Singapore publish real-time financial data, including audited statements, budget allocations, and detailed expenditure reports. Such openness, the report argued, directly correlates with more substantial donor confidence, improved governance, and increased access to international research grants.
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