According to Kaduna State University Professor John Laah, Nigeria needs at least 800 more universities to accommodate the country’s expanding population. Nigeria is expected to become the third most populous country in the world by 2050, and because of its limited capacity, many of eligible applicants would not be allowed to continue their studies even after passing entrance tests. For example, a national trend shows that less than 27% of eligible candidates are admitted to Kaduna State University.
Professor Laah highlighted the connection between this Education gap and the rise in social instability and insecurity, pointing out that young people who lack education are more susceptible to crime and other social vices. In addition, he supported Senator Sunday Marshall Katung’s initiative to construct a Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna. This specialised school seeks to support regional and national development by emphasising vocational and applied sciences education. In order to save money and maximise infrastructure, the university’s original plan for Manchok was changed to Kachia.
Higher education must be widely expanded in Nigeria.
Highlighting the initiative’s potential to empower marginalised youth, accelerate economic development, and address the larger problems of underfunding and limited educational access in Nigeria, Laah asked stakeholders to support it. He emphasised that in order to maintain the socioeconomic stability of the nation, Higher Education must be widely expanded. Nigeria has 270 universities as of 2024, comprising both public and private establishments. Even so, the gross tertiary enrolment percentage in the nation is only 12%, which means that more than 1.3 million eligible applicants each year are unable to find university positions.
To put it in perspective, every year, about 2 million students take entrance examinations like JAMB, but only 500,000 to 700,000 get admitted, indicating a large capacity gap. Addressing the lack of employable skills among Nigerian youth, the proposed Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna will concentrate on vocational and technical education. Agriculture, technical trades, and STEM subjects that are essential to Nigeria’s development would be given priority in the curriculum. In order to save money and take advantage of the existing infrastructure, the university was moved from Manchok to Kachia.
Funding will probably come from federal grants and collaborations.
Experts predict that the processes of legislative approval, building, and enrolment could take up to five years, even though no formal timeframe has been revealed. Funding will probably come from federal grants and collaborations with commercial organisations. Scalable education methods have been implemented by nations like Indonesia and India that share similar demographics. With more than 1,000 universities and a wide range of private and online learning environments, India can accommodate its 1.4 billion people. Alongside traditional institutions, Indonesia uses vocational schools to guarantee a stream of diversified talent.
Additionally, both countries prioritise regional cooperation in Infrastructure and funding for education. Nigeria should promote technical and vocational education, online learning platforms, Private Sector involvement, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in order to improve education. Students have voiced their dissatisfaction with the existing admissions bottlenecks, pointing to restricted access as a major reason for studying overseas. Policymakers, such the National Universities Commission (NUC), stress the importance of sustainable growth and quality assurance. Education experts urge creative alternatives, such as Curriculum reform and digitisation, to match university outputs with labour market demands.
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It would cost tens of billions of dollars a year to build 800 new universities. Obtaining property, hiring faculty, and operating expenses are among the difficulties. Building specialised regional hubs and improving current institutions could be the first steps in a phased approach. To Finance these expansions, Nigeria can potentially look for international partnerships and donor assistance. Nigeria’s higher education dilemma requires a multifaceted approach that includes active cooperation with commercial and foreign partners, creative solutions including online learning, and infrastructure expansion. In addition to meeting the rising demand, these activities will support the socioeconomic stability of the country.