Private Universities in Nigeria – the Challenges Ahead.

Public universities had a near monopoly in providing university education in Nigeria until 1999. The market-friendly reforms initiated under the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP), the deregulation policies, and the financial crisis of the states created an encouraging environment for the emergence of the private universities in Nigeria. The legislative measures initiated to establish private universities in Nigeria also helped the entry of cross-border education, which is offered mainly through private providers. At present the private sector is a fast expanding segment of university education in Nigeria, although it still constitutes a small share of enrolment in university education. The paper attempts to analyse the growth, expansion, justification and the challenges of private universities in Nigeria. Keywords: Private universities, public universities, access, globalization, social demand, academic staff. Introduction In many African countries, the provision of University education by private institutions is a growing phenomenon when compared to other parts of the world; however, most African countries have been slow to expand the private sector in University education (Altbach, 1999). So also in Nigeria, the emergence of private universities as a business enterprise is an emerging phenomenon, a number of issues plague its development including legal status, quality assurance and the cost of service. The status of much private university in Nigeria is shady. Many operate without licenses, commensurate resources or appropriate infrastructures. The quality of service by many is also shoddy, even at a few of the institutions that possess better equipment, newer buildings and better facilities than the public universities. Private universities are a recent development in Nigeria as compared to the federal and state government owned universities. It has evolved during two historic phases: the first during the second republic under President Shehu Shagari administration 1979 – 1983 (all facilities). The second phase was during the fourth republic under President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 – Date). During this phase necessary machines were put in place to visit and scrutinize applications from individuals, religious and corporate organizations of who are applying for private universities operating license. To Belfied and Lerin (2003), private universities are non-public or independent universities who do