Across Africa, higher education is undergoing a quiet but powerful shift. As public universities grapple with overcrowding, underfunding, and bureaucratic delays, private tertiary institutions are rising fast — offering new programs, modern campuses, and flexible admissions policies.

But this rapid expansion raises a serious question:
Are private universities closing the education gap, or simply flooding the system with credentials?

A Response to a Broken System

Many of Africa’s public universities were built decades ago — designed for a time when tertiary education was a privilege for a small elite. Today, a surging youth population and growing demand for specialized training have stretched those institutions to their limit.

• Classrooms are overcrowded.

• Faculty are underpaid and overworked.

• Programs are rigid and slow to adapt.

• Strikes disrupt academic calendars.

In this vacuum, private universities have stepped in — fast. In countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Uganda, private institutions now account for 25–40% of total higher education enrollment.

What Private Institutions Bring to the Table

Let’s be clear: the growth of private tertiary education is not inherently a problem. In fact, it’s an opportunity — when done right.

1. Flexibility and Innovation

Private institutions often adopt modern curricula, offer evening and weekend classes, and launch programs that align more closely with job market trends — such as cyber security, health informatics, and entrepreneurship.

2. Smaller Class Sizes and Personalized Learning

Students are less likely to get lost in the crowd. Access to faculty tends to be easier, and administrative processes are more streamlined.

3. Faster Academic Calendars

Unlike public universities that can be stalled by strikes or funding gaps, private institutions typically maintain uninterrupted schedules.

4. Increased Access

They create opportunities for students who might not gain admission to public universities, especially in urban centers or for non-traditional learners like working professionals or mature students.

The Flip Side: Risks and Realities

But not all private tertiary institutions are created equal — and growth without oversight can be dangerous.

1. Variable Quality

Some institutions are under-regulated, offering degrees with little academic rigor, weak faculty, or no real infrastructure. Students pay for certificates, not education.

2. Cost Barriers

While flexible, private education often comes with a higher price tag. Many students take on debt or sacrifice to attend, without guaranteed return on investment.

3. Limited Research and Resources

Public institutions may struggle administratively, but they often remain hubs for serious academic research. Few private universities have built this capacity.

4. Credential Creep

With so many private institutions churning out graduates, degrees alone are losing signaling power in the job market — especially when employers don’t trust the quality behind them.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The rise of private tertiary education is neither a crisis nor a cure-all. It’s a trend that requires responsible growth, policy oversight, and shared commitment to educational excellence.

Governments and accrediting bodies must:

• Enforce rigorous quality standards

• Incentivize meaningful research in private institutions

• Ensure transparency around fees and program outcomes

• Promote public-private partnerships to raise the bar system-wide

At the same time, students and families must be equipped to ask better questions:
What’s the value of this degree? Who teaches the courses? Where are the alumni now?

Final Thought: Quantity Doesn’t Replace Quality

Africa’s education gap is real. Private tertiary institutions are part of the solution — but only when they aim higher than profit margins. The goal must be not just more graduates, but more capable, employable, and empowered graduates.

Because in the end, it’s not about how many universities exist.
It’s about what — and who — they’re building.