Nigeria must establish at least 800 universities to cater to its burgeoning population and address the country’s growing demand for higher education, a geography professor at Kaduna State University (KASU), Professor John Laah, has stated.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Laah highlighted the urgent need for more universities as the country faces challenges of insufficient access to tertiary education.
He emphasized that with Nigeria projected to become the third most populous country globally by 2050, expanding the nation’s educational infrastructure is non-negotiable.
According to Laah, Nigeria’s existing universities are grossly inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of qualified applicants.
“I teach at KASU, and we admit less than 27 percent of qualified applicants. This trend is replicated across all universities in Nigeria.
Thousands of secondary school graduates who pass their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations are denied access to tertiary education,” Laah lamented.
He further pointed out the societal implications of the admission gap, linking it to rising instability and insecurity.
“If you correlate the lack of enrollment with growing insecurity, including banditry, you will notice a direct relationship.
Idle youths without opportunities for education or employment are more likely to resort to social vices,” he warned.
Push for Federal University of Applied Sciences
Laah underscored the importance of the proposed Federal University of Applied Sciences, Southern Kaduna, which is currently undergoing legislative processes.
He noted that the initiative, championed by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung of Southern Kaduna, aims to create a specialized institution that will boost development and provide vocational education.
“This university will not only benefit Southern Kaduna but will also contribute to national development. If approved, it will be the first Federal University of Applied Sciences in the country,” he explained.
The university, initially proposed for Manchok, has now been redirected to Kachia to leverage existing infrastructure and reduce costs.
“The decision to change the location is strategic. Kachia has better facilities that would lower the financial burden on the government,” Laah added.
Professor Laah called on stakeholders to support the establishment of the university, noting that it would provide educational opportunities for marginalized youth and catalyze economic growth in the region.
“Education remains the cornerstone of societal transformation. This university will empower our unemployed youths and steer them toward productive engagements,” he asserted.
The professor’s call reflects a broader challenge for Nigeria’s education system, which continues to grapple with limited access, underfunding, and the need for sustainable development.
Experts agree that a robust expansion of higher education institutions is essential to meeting the needs of Nigeria’s fast-growing population and ensuring its socio-economic stability.
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