With regards to comments made on the private/public university issue, both are important to a system--as are technical and specialized institutions. My fear with the proliferation of private schools is that we are denying the need to perfect the public system. Given that the majority of Nigerian higher-ed students (less than 1% of the population) cannot afford a $3,000 fee, how can private schools truly assist the system? At best they will provide succor to those from upper middle-class and wealthy families who can afford the luxury. But it won't do much for the majority of people or the heart and spirit of our country.

At the same time, public universities need to be challenged to do more in preparing the students for the real world. In the past they have used lack of funding as an excuse for not performing. Recently, these institutions were challenged by the current administration to be more creative in their quest for funds. Perhaps this is a strategy that can help us get to where we need to be. But it is but one strategy. But because they are not part of the competitive system, whereby they shut down if they don't perform, the new policies are unlikely going to be enough impetus to stimulate substantial reaction.

Remember that we're 140 million people with 55% under age 15. At an average of 10,000 students per institution, we will need no less than 1000 institutions to educate 5-10% of our people as the population approaches 200 million. However, as some have rightly pointed out, quantity is useless in the education industry as quality has everything to do with the content that our nation comes to be made of.

My hope is that, while private universities are being built, we will put more resources into developing public ones--even if with private means.

For those who continue to point to the success of American private schools, even that country is admitting how much they have failed the public schooling system--and, as a result, the American people. As of the 1990's many public institutions are using private school tactics for growth and development.

For my part, I lead a team of people intent to transform 100 Nigerian universities into digital campuses. If you would like to join and assist our efforts and make this your movement, please check out http://www.udcnigeria.com/.

Regards,
Nam Mokwunye
Reuters Digital Vision Fellow
Stanford University
Stanford, CA, USA