2m Candidates Compete for 500,000 University Slots, FG Reveals

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the growing pressure on Nigeria’s higher education system, revealing that more than two million qualified candidates compete for fewer than 500,000 university admission slots every year.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Friday while delivering a lecture at the 65th anniversary celebration of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Speaking on the theme, “65 Years of Excellence: Obafemi Awolowo University and the Future of Higher Education in Nigeria,” Alausa said the widening gap between the number of admission seekers and available university spaces poses a major challenge to the country’s education sector.

“Nigeria has over 200 universities, but our carrying capacity is far below demand. Over 2 million qualified candidates apply for less than 500,000 university spaces annually. This is a ticking time bomb,” the minister said.

He noted that the challenge goes beyond access to tertiary education, pointing to a growing disconnect between university training and the demands of the modern labour market.

According to him, many graduates leave school with academic qualifications but lack critical thinking, digital and entrepreneurial skills required in today’s economy.

“There is a gap between what our universities teach and what the economy needs. Many graduates leave with certificates but without critical thinking, digital skills, or entrepreneurial competence,” he said.

Alausa also expressed concern over the continued migration of skilled academics and talented graduates to foreign countries, describing the trend as a significant loss to the nation’s development.

“Our best lecturers and brightest graduates are leaving in droves for Europe, North America and the Gulf. This is a hemorrhage of talent,” he added.

The minister identified inadequate funding as another major obstacle facing the education sector, noting that budgetary allocations have consistently fallen below international recommendations.

“Federal allocations to education have historically hovered between 5 per cent and 8 per cent of the national budget—far below the UNESCO-recommended 15-20 per cent. As a result, infrastructure decays, laboratories lack equipment, and libraries cannot subscribe to modern journals,” he said.

He also lamented the low level of investment in research and development, which he said limits Nigeria’s ability to compete globally in innovation and technology.

“Nigeria spends less than 0.2 per cent of GDP on R&D. In contrast, Israel spends over 4 per cent, South Korea nearly 5 per cent. We cannot engineer a future with that kind of investment,” Alausa stated.

Despite the challenges, the minister expressed optimism about the future of higher education in the country, saying Nigerian universities possess the capacity to drive innovation and national development if properly supported.

He highlighted ongoing government interventions aimed at expanding access to education, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the implementation of the revised National Policy on Education.

Alausa also challenged the management of OAU to sustain its tradition of academic excellence and continue playing a leading role in research, innovation and human capital development.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Simeon Bamire, said the institution remains committed to producing future-ready graduates, advancing cutting-edge research and strengthening partnerships that contribute to national and global development.

Established in 1961 as the University of Ife, OAU was renamed in 1987 after the late nationalist and statesman, Obafemi Awolowo.