Whenever you hear of federal universities in Nigeria, among the first things that come to your mind is the incessant strike actions. Students get admission into the university and add an extra year or two, silently hoping it doesn't go past that. Spoiler alert: it usually does. It would be manageable if this was the only problem we encounter but unfortunately, there are a host of others. From academics to learning environments, the nonchalance of lecturers, and accommodation issues, Nigerian students in these universities don't have it easy.
Nigerians' idolization of suffering is seen in every aspect of our lives in this country. It's almost as if you don't deserve success if you haven't gone through the worst experiences. This is why students' complaints about their uncomfortable lecture theaters and learning environment aren't being looked into and are viewed as inconsequential. In my class there are over 300 students and the main lecture theater where we have most of our lecturers cannot contain every single person. Some people have to stand while others sit on the floor. Some chairs are bad, reducing space to sit. No, they wouldn't be repaired rather they would be left abandoned while we have to adapt to it.
The nonchalance of lecturers has to be the most frustrating thing. They do not care about their jobs and it's so obvious they would rather be elsewhere than in the classroom. They are usually given microphones to use and I have some lecturers who deliberately refuse to use them. In cases where they do, they don't talk directly to it. As a result of this, only people seated in the first few rows can hear what he/she is saying. They treat students with disrespect as though we aren't human beings. They are stingy with grades and say things like, "A is for Almighty God, B is for me your lecturer then C is for the very bright students. A classroom is supposed to be a place for learning, where students listen, ask questions, and counter lecturers' opinions. That's the ideal atmosphere. But if you dare argue with a lecturer in Nigeria, you are in soup. It would become their life mission to make sure you fail that course. So one just has to listen, read and try to pass the course. The entire sex for grades is a whole discussion. There is zero accountability and nobody at the top to lay a complaint to because they are all the same.
Few weeks ago, I went to the library with some friends to borrow a textbook so we could do an assignment that was given to us. The library had just one copy of that textbook, a single copy. The librarian told us to take pictures of it. It was so embarrassing that in a whole university library, there are not enough textbooks.
Most of the things they teach in our handouts are outdated. I'm a law student and I've noticed that some cases and theories that they teach us in class have been modified. Sadly, nobody makes these corrections but instead, students have to go out of their way to find current and accurate data.
Living in school hostels is the actual ghetto. The rooms are small, there is no kitchen so you have to cook in the room. There are only three toilets and bathrooms on a floor for about thirty girls. There are no fans in the rooms and no water or good electricity. So even if one has plans of studying at night, one needs a torchlight.
The saddest part about all of these is that we have all learned to adapt. It's a Nigerian thing; complain, adapt to the terrible situation then pray it gets better someday. We know what to expect so we bear it but being a student shouldn't be so hard. I shouldn't have to wake up extremely early because I want to join the queue for water. All these things we lack are the barest minimum, it doesn't cost an arm and leg. The only struggle we should have is studying and passing our exams. Students in developed countries and private universities don't go through these things. And they tell us the biggest lie, to make us and themselves feel better than a first class in a private university is equivalent to a third class in a federal university. A big fat lie.