Reps urge universities to prevent research delays

The House of Representatives has cautioned Nigerian university management against causing unnecessary delays for undergraduate and postgraduate students working on projects, theses, dissertations, and other research-related tasks.

Rep. Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, issued this statement on Thursday.

This followed a report that a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, allegedly died from depression after being unable to complete his Ph.D. programme over a 13-year period.

The committee had previously visited the university as part of a nationwide oversight tour in October.

The lecturer, Mr Muazu Ahmad from ABU’s English Language Department, reportedly began his Ph.D. in 2011 but was unable to complete it due to alleged difficulties with his supervisor, which reportedly led to mental health struggles.

In a meeting with ABU Vice Chancellor Prof. Kabiru Bala, Fulata urged the university to ensure supervisors do not harass, intimidate, or unnecessarily delay students.

He also appealed to other universities across Nigeria to support timely graduations.

Fulata further noted that during committee visits, several federal universities were not adhering to federal character principles in recruitment.

He specifically urged new universities, including the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, Bauchi State, and Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State, to ensure compliance with these recruitment policies.