Qualitative Study of Privatization Policy on Access, Demand and Supply at tertiary level of Education in Nigeria: A Review

One of the rationale for privatization of higher education by the Nigerian government, is to expand access to the increasing population who, though, are ready for tertiary education but for whom the government could not readily provide this veritable social and constitutional service. This paper discussed the extent to which privatization policy has addressed access or rescue demand and supply of tertiary level of education in Nigeria. The concepts of higher education, privatization, privatization of tertiary education and demand and supply were discussed as well as the rationale and challenges embedded in the policy were highlighted and discussed. It was concluded that, 7.8% admissions in private universities, 9.4% in private polytechnics and 15.7 in colleges of education between 2011-2015 is grossly inadequate, therefore the extent to which privatization of tertiary education has rescue demand and supply of higher education in Nigeria is low. The paper recommended regulation of school fees in private higher institutions by the federal government which is one of the major challenges of privatization policy of higher education in Nigeria among others to increase access or demand and supply of higher education.