Statistics indicate that there were over 270 universities in Nigeria as at 2024, two of which were founded within the first half of that year. Of the total count, 149 were private while state and federal universities added up to 63 and 62 respectively.
According to Statistica, a public policy analytical entity, of the total universities in the country, 149 are privately owned universities. In the last two decades. Individuals and faith-based organisations have been showing significant presence in this race to own tertiary institutions, especially universities.
The number, no doubt, has increased as the Federal Government recently approved the establishment of 11 private universities across the country.
It’s obvious that public universities have continued to lose steam with incessant strikes and hiccups in academic programmes as students would have to spend duration beyond stipulated years of studies with the multiplier effect of
parents and or wards confronting painful experiences including higher financial costs.
It is of note that the approval for the universities was provisional as the 11 new institution are subject to further scrutiny before they get their full licenses.
However, the newly approved universities successfully completed the National Universities Commission’s ,NUC, rigorous 13-step assessment process before they were given the nod to operate.
The newly licensed universities include New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi, Abuja; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State; Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State and Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Others are Lens University, Ilemona, Kwara State; Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State; Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City, Edo State; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos State and Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.
It is a welcome development which no doubt will aid in absorbing the countless number of eligible applicants who can hardly find space in the competitive craves for public universities as well provide jobs for the teeming unemployed graduates.
Notwithstanding the euphoria that has greeted the approval for the entry of these institutions, there ought to be more to it than just getting license without bothering about standards afterwards.
The promoters of private universities should be able to uphold both ethical and academic standards comparable to such institutions anywhere in the world as it is one thing to achieve the feat of passing through the rigorous process to earn their licenses and it is another to keep the flag flying thereafter.
We are not unaware that some of the new institutions have as a primary motive profit-making and may look the other way when other aspects necessary to keep the standards are compromised.
The promoters must understand that education is as much a social service even as it could be a source of profit. It is necessary for them to have the basic altruistic consideration in all their undertakings. Profit is not all that is needful.
