Nigerianscryout::::Help!! We want to go to Higher Institutions Too

Do our youths still have future in Nigeria? It is very pathetic and frustrating to see our supposed future leaders’ tight-bound in a generation that seems to have no future. How did we get to this point? What has gone wrong with our educational system?

Why will more than 60 percent of Nigerian students that sat for JAMB exam wallow in pains and agony for losing out in the university admission system marked by corruption and impunity?

Let try and break it down now. We all know that the JAMB exam 2012 which was recently released, registered about 1.5 million candidates for the examination. According to JAMB result performance statistics around 400, 000 candidates score less than 180 which is around 26 percent. We will assume that this number failed but it is not always the case in Nigeria.

If we take away the number of results that were seized and withheld, we will be left with around 1 million students who will subsequently apply for JAMB Post UME exam in different universities in Nigeria.

According to National Universities Commission website, there are a total of 123 universities in Nigeria. Let assume on average that each university will accept 5000 students in 2012 / 2013 academic section. Then the total intake in all the universities in Nigeria will be 123 x 5000 = 615,000 students.

When we minus 615,000 admitted students from the total numbers of candidates who registered for JAMB exam (i.e. 1. 5 million), we are left with around 900, 000candidates without university admission.

Out of this number, we will agree that some candidates will decide to enroll in polytechnic, college of education or entirely kill their university ambition to pursue trading or business but major percentage of these candidates will still re-sit JAMB examination next year.

This number is outrageous and makes me feel sick. Imagine if this trend follows this same pattern for the next ten years without any urgent or lasting solution, we will have slightly less than 9 million (900,000 x 10 years) accumulated candidates waiting for JAMB exam. Our educational system is in big trouble so also the future of our youths.

The question now is where can we go from here or how can we get out of this mess?

Build More Public Universities

In my own judgment, there is a big problem with building more public universities in Nigeria. We have experience a continuous disagreement and conflict between government and university unions. Most often it has resulted in a prolonged strike action leaving students in between the devil and the deep sea.

There have been a heavy push by government for public universities to become autonomous and financial independent because they claim that government is paying so such in maintaining our public universities. Universities have responded with incessant increase in tuition fee and introduction of other kind of fees like developmental fees in order to cover running cost.

Nigerian government has shown enough sign that they can’t cope with adding any other public university apart from what we have now. Public universities might not be the way to go in solving this issue. If you do not agree with my view, I will be glad to hear your side of the story.

Build More Private Universities

I am a bit surprise when I found out that we already have 50 private universities in Nigeria. Nonetheless, issuing more licenses to new private university will help a little in lifting the burden of university admission off students shoulder.

But the down side of private university is how expensive it can be. Majority of students might not afford the tuition fee in most private universities in Nigeria but those who can afford it should take advantage of it.

Study Abroad

I think the time has come for most Nigerian students looking for university admission to look beyond Nigeria universities and consider taking study programs abroad.

Even when you do not have money to study in Europe or America, there are many good universities in other African countries that offer admission to Nigerian students almost the same amount of tuition or less like in Nigeria but you will not go through the hassle and stressful processes associated with JAMB admission. You can find out more in our study abroad section.

What other options do will have to solve this problem? You suggestion or input is highly appreciated.
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