The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has called on universities to tackle the significant shortfall in admissions, which leaves about 75% of potential students without access to higher education.
Speaking during a meeting with Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities in Abuja, Alausa lamented that out of the two million applicants to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) each year, only about 330,000 are admitted, resulting in an admission rate of 22-25%.
The minister emphasized the need for universities to adopt hybrid learning models by 2025 as part of ongoing reforms. This, he said, will enable institutions to focus on specialized education programs, addressing the widening skills gap in the workforce and better equipping students for success in their chosen careers.
Alausa also stressed the importance of embracing modern technology, particularly hybrid learning, to address the challenges facing the education sector. He instructed all universities to implement Anthology Blackboard by the end of the year, threatening to withhold ICT intervention funds from non-compliant institutions.
“We have invested heavily in building infrastructure, which is meant for students,” Alausa said. “We shouldn’t be limiting admissions based on available accommodation. Universities can negotiate with private builders to provide accommodation for students.”
The minister’s call to action is seen as a significant step towards addressing the long-standing issue of limited access to higher education in Nigeria.
