DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2017.v05i08.018

Pages: 926-937

University research as key to socio-economic transformation has provoked and dominated debate in post independent Africa for more than five decades. Historically, most of the universities in the African continent were established soon after independence as symbol of national prestige as well as instruments for national development. Universities were considered to be fruits of independence just like other symbols of self-determining African states namely national flags, national anthems, national dress, and national currencies with the head of a black president. At the independence, newly born African states had critical demands of skilled labour force in all sectors of their nascent economies; hence, university education, being a stronghold of research was expected to provide solutions by giving indigenous people with relevant knowledge and skills, capable of eradicating social, political and economic setbacks. Now it is more than five decades after independence, but majority of African countries are still victims of rampant poverty. A popular mantra is that university education in Africa is failing its people. University research in Africa seems to be impotent as it is unable to produce local entrepreneurs, inventors, scientists, good leaders to mention but a few examples. Therefore, it is legitimate to put this question, what is wrong with African university education in general and research in particular? This study deployed documentary analysis to examine key challenges faced by Sub-Saharan African universities in building research capacities capable of bringing socio-economic development.