A bill to establish 47 new public universities scaled through the second reading in the House of Representatives recently. If successful, it will increase the number of public universities to 99. The Nigerian Senate, alongside the National Universities Commission (NUC), has stressed the need for establishing more universities to meet the surging demand for tertiary education. During a recent public hearing, stakeholders supported the creation of the Federal University, Okigwe, in Imo State, citing a deficit in university capacity as a significant barrier to education access. However, while the argument for more universities is rooted in the desire to serve the nation’s growing population, this approach might be a misguided priority, given the realities of Nigeria’s education sector.
NUC Executive Secretary Chris Maiyaki highlighted Nigeria’s current deficit in tertiary education infrastructure. There are currently 52 federal, 63 state-owned and more than 147 private universities in Nigeria. With 275 universities catering to over 2 million prospective students annually, only 500,000 to 700,000 are admitted each year, leaving a staggering 1.3 million without access to university education. In contrast, Indonesia, with a comparable population size, boasts approximately 2,000 universities, underscoring the limited capacity of Nigeria’s system.
This gap undeniably points to an issue of inadequate access. However, focusing solely on expanding the number of universities does not address the root causes of Nigeria’s education challenges, such as funding inadequacies, subpar infrastructure, and the quality of instruction.
Expanding the number of universities without addressing existing issues risks further diluting the quality of education. Many public universities already struggle with overcrowded classrooms, insufficient facilities, and poorly motivated staff. In 2022, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on a prolonged strike over inadequate funding, poor salaries, and a lack of investment in infrastructure. Introducing more institutions without resolving these systemic problems will likely exacerbate the challenges rather than solve them.
Nigeria’s tertiary education system is chronically underfunded. The country allocates only about 5% of its annual budget to education, far below UNESCO’s recommended 15-20%. Adding more universities would stretch already limited resources further, reducing the funding available for each institution. As a result, many of the new universities could suffer from insufficient infrastructure, poorly equipped libraries, and a lack of qualified lecturers. The argument for creating the Federal University, Okigwe, hinges on the lack of federal presence in the area. While equitable distribution of educational resources is essential, it should not take precedence over ensuring that existing institutions function optimally. Creating a university solely to fulfill political or geographical agendas may lead to the establishment of poorly funded institutions that struggle to attract students and staff.
In the long term, simply increasing the number of universities could lead to oversaturation. Private universities already account for a significant portion of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, but many of them operate below capacity due to high tuition fees. The government should focus on policies that make existing universities more accessible rather than creating additional ones that may not solve the accessibility problem.
Instead of focusing on expansion, the government should channel resources toward improving the quality of education in existing institutions. This includes upgrading facilities, enhancing staff training, and increasing funding for research and innovation. For example, South Africa invests heavily in a smaller number of universities, resulting in institutions like the University of Cape Town ranking among the top in the world.
Also, strengthening vocational and technical education is important. Nigeria’s job market increasingly values practical skills over theoretical knowledge. Expanding access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions could provide millions of Nigerians with the skills needed to succeed in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
To address the demand-supply gap, the government can invest in e-learning platforms and distance education programmes. This would allow existing universities to reach more students without the need for physical expansion. Countries like India have successfully implemented online learning initiatives to accommodate their large populations. Lastly, reforming admission policies to make them more equitable and merit-based could help address the frustration of the 1.3 million students left out each year. Promotion of alternative pathways, such as community colleges and diploma programmes, could also provide opportunities for students who cannot gain direct admission into universities.
While the call for more universities in Nigeria addresses a legitimate concern, it overlooks deeper systemic issues plaguing the education sector. Expanding the number of universities without addressing funding, infrastructure, and quality will likely create more problems than it solves. Expanding universities is not inherently wrong, but without careful planning and adequate resources, it risks becoming a misguided priority.
