This study commences with a brief overview of the historical context in which current higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa have evolved. Without an understanding and appreciation of how higher education (HE ) evolved on the continent it may be all too easy to equate the complex challenges faced by HE institutions today with a lack of resources, motivation or capacity on the part of those who have worked for several decades to address these challenges. In other words, there are sound historical reasons that help to explain the current crisis within the HE sector and these are well worth exploring.