ABSTRACT
The reform and restructuring of higher education, especially university education, in Africa constitutes a recent but major focus of donor agencies and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank. This chapter examines from a theoretical and empirical perspective, how the introduction of neo-liberal economic ideology as introduced by structural adjustment programmes affects the deepening crisis of the university system in African states. It considers the challenges this development poses to the scholars, who constitute the most important social force in the university system, and attempts a prognosis for the future of university education in Africa, based on current developments. The chapter draws largely on a Nigerian example. Market reforms as applied to the economy and the university sub-sector posed serious challenges to scholars, both at the individual and organisational levels. The combined struggles and resistance of National Association of Nigerian Students and Academic Staff Union of Universities have hindered implementation of the World Bank university education reform project in Nigeria.
