The Senate has asked the Nigerian government to raise financial allocations to federal universities in the 2025 budget to address the serious difficulties that Nigerian institutions face.
In addition, the parliamentarians passed a resolution asking the relevant Senate committee to work with the Ministers of Finance, Education, and other key ministries to take prompt action to combat the country’s escalating brain drain.
This decision followed a motion raised by Senator Anthony Okorie, who voiced concern over the growing issue of brain drain, particularly the significant exodus of highly educated professionals from Nigeria, especially within the academic sector. He noted that the search for better working conditions abroad is worsening the country’s skill gap.
Okorie also highlighted the poor remuneration and working conditions of Nigerian lecturers, emphasising that their pay—unchanged for over 15 years—is among the lowest globally, contributing to the continued departure of experienced academics to other countries.