Victor EzejaThere are indications that the number of candidates running doctorate degree (PhD) programmes in Nigerian universities for many years without successful completion has been on the increase in recent times.
Last week, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), through a memo signed by the Acting Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, UNN, Prof. Obioma Njoku, announced the decision to disengage postgraduate students running PhD, Masters and Diploma programmes who have overstayed without successful completion.
This has generated reactions from those who feel that the problem is multifaceted and should be addressed holistically rather than passing the bulk of the responsibility for overstaying to the students.
READ ALSO UNN Set To Disengage Overstayed PhD, Masters, Diploma Students
Professor Michael Ukonu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, UNN explained that a mix of factors such as students’ poor commitment to academics and shortcomings in the educational system are responsible for what leads to the overstay of candidates running PhD and other postgraduate programmes in Nigerian universities.
Speaking as a guest on Prime Business Africa Twitter Space on Wednesday on the topic, ‘Why do PhD Candidates Overstay in Nigerian Universities’ Prof. said there is a poor level of awareness of what PhD is all about and what it entails to run the programme by many students.
He said: “The poor awareness set people up for a profound lack of preparation for that important degree.”
He noted that there is a remarkable level of decline in academic standards in Nigeria, but many lecturers in various higher institutions in the country still hold that high level of degree (PhD) in very high esteem.
In most Nigerian universities, the minimum number of years for PhD is 3 three years (one year for course and two years for research).
Prof. Ukonu pointed out that when some students come unprepared, thinking that it would be as usual with as they did in other lower degree programmes, it becomes a problem when the lecturers stick to the standards and want them to be thorough to produce quality research work that would contribute to the body of knowledge.
He also noted that some challenges within the university system which disrupt the academic calendar also contribute to drudgery on the part of students who do not have a strong academic footing.
He also identified challenges with research, especially access to data gathering in Nigeria as another issue that students battle with, and many drop off at that point of their PhD thesis when they are unable to make a headway.
The university don, however, stated that despite the cases of overstay, serious work is going on in terms of supervision of serious students who eventually graduate in record time.
“Unnecessary overstay has become a culture deeply enmeshed in a cycle of poor awareness, unpreparedness, poor academic schedule and lack of synergy between students and the supervisor that should grow into a mentor-mentee relationship that smoothens the part,” Ukonu stated.
On the challenge of lack of awareness, Ukonu said lecturers have work to do in enlightening the students, especially during coursework. In all, he said there is work to do for the students, lecturers, university system and government that is the ultimate funder of the education system in Nigeria.
On his part, President of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts, Enugu State chapter, Dr Ambrose Igboke, said the Problem of PhD candidates not finishing in record time, is most times peculiar to universities, and programme supervisors, who would want to suffer their students unnecessarily.
“Some departments in some schools are notorious for keeping students longer than they should.”
He also noted that the problem could stem from having supervisors who hardly have time to attend to their supervisees making them spend more years waiting.
He also stated that the problem could also come from students who lack the discipline and commitment to the rigorous academic/research process required.
Some universities require PhD students to publish their research articles in high-impact journals before they can graduate. This he said, is another challenge for some students who are unable to meet up perhaps, by not being academically sound.
Dr Igboke called on Nigerian universities to find out why students are unable to finish on time before going ahead with the decision to disengage them. He also urged students to show commitment to what they are doing to produce quality research that is worth the degree being awarded to them.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
