We need 10 ABU, not 500 Covenant University

By Sola Fanawopo

Nigeria’s university regulator, National Universities Commission (NUC), is processing about 303 applications for private universities in the nation. Yes! 300. Every big man in Nigeria want to own one. It has become that common. 

Today, Nigeria has 43 federal, 48 state and 79 private universities. I am not sure any local government has apply for a university license. And why not? 

Apapa LG should proudly own a Maritime University, specializing in marine education and others. Apapa LG should be richer than most state that own university today if only it’s source of revenues aren’t snatched by Lagos state government. 

But note that ABU Zaria admits more than 30% of the combined 79 private schools on capacity. 

So, looking at the number of private universities may seem like they are many, but examining the access they enable, you will see the impacts have been marginal. 

This data has shown that the future of our education depends on huge funding by government. This is the only way we can train our workforce. 

What we really need to invest on is more of ABU and less of Covenant University. 

What do you think?

[Note: This piece was first published on the writer’s Facebook wall]