An increasing number of Nigerian parents are opting for private universities amid rising education-related costs and ongoing uncertainty in the public tertiary education system, as the 2025/2026 academic session intensifies concerns over affordability and stability.
Across the country, particularly in urban centres such as Lagos, families say the traditional preference for federal universities is being reconsidered due to rising ancillary expenses, accommodation challenges, and disruptions linked to industrial actions.
While federal institutions remain officially low-cost or “tuition-free,” students and parents report that total annual expenses have increased significantly due to additional charges, accommodation shortages, and living costs that now closely rival those of private institutions.
Education analysts note that the cost gap between public and private universities has narrowed considerably in recent years, making private institutions a more predictable—though more expensive—option for many middle-class households.
In institutions such as the University of Lagos and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, students are reportedly facing higher “sundry charges,” alongside increased pressure from accommodation shortages that force many into costly off-campus housing.
A growing number of parents say that when accommodation and living expenses are added, the total cost of studying in public universities is often comparable to private school fees.
One Lagos-based accountant described the dilemma as a question of certainty versus cost.
“By the time you pay for accommodation off-campus and manage the instability of strikes, the cost is almost the same. At that point, many parents prefer private universities where graduation timelines are more predictable,” he said.
Industrial actions by academic unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities, continue to contribute to concerns among parents about delays in academic calendars and extended graduation periods in public institutions.
Education stakeholders say such disruptions have led some families to adopt what they describe as an “internal relocation” strategy, choosing private universities within Nigeria to avoid prolonged academic uncertainty.
Accommodation shortages remain another major concern. Analysts estimate that public universities can only house a fraction of their student population, forcing many students into expensive off-campus housing markets in surrounding communities.
In several university towns, rental costs for student accommodation have risen sharply, with some areas experiencing significant increases in hostel and apartment prices due to high demand and limited supply.
By contrast, private universities are often seen as offering a more structured cost system, with tuition fees that typically include accommodation and other essential services, reducing unpredictable expenses for parents.
Education economists say the trend reflects broader “education inflation,” where the cost of higher education continues to rise faster than household incomes and general savings growth.
Analysts also note that families are increasingly treating education as an investment decision, weighing not just cost but also time-to-graduation and stability of academic calendars.
However, experts warn that the shift toward private universities may widen inequality in access to higher education, as lower-income families may struggle to afford the rising cost burden.
Some students in public universities are already facing deferments or interruptions due to financial constraints, while middle-income families are reportedly taking loans or liquidating savings to meet tuition demands in private institutions.
As Nigeria’s higher education system evolves, stakeholders say the sector is at a critical point where affordability, predictability, and capacity constraints are reshaping long-standing assumptions about access to university education.
