Director: Daniel C. Levy

Nigerian Private Varsities Get Government's Approvals

(Entry by Daniel C. Levy)

PROPHE Summary:
The Nigerian government has taken further steps to increase the private provision of higher education. Seven additional private universities are receiving licenses. On the other hand, the approvals come only after years and do not apply to the majority of soliciting institutions. Those approved have met criteria of the National Universities Commission regarding both academic and administrative matters.

For the full story, see AllAfrica.com, June 2, 2005, "FG Licences 7 New Private Varsities," by Lere Ojedokun (Daily Champion).
http://allafrica.com/stories/200506020822.html

PROPHE Observation:
Analyzing this news development alongside the two previously posted ones on Nigeria provides a sense of a balance being sought by government. There are concerns about quality and profits, contributing to a public wariness. Yet there is a perceived need to allow private institutions to contribute to the country's efforts to expand access. While most of Nigeria's over seventy universities are public, the private expansion in this large country goes far to underscore Africa's the private growth in higher education, which generally still lags that in other developing regions.