“I cannot change the world overnight. But if I can empower even one youth today, or tomorrow, they could join me in empowering others. With time, we could change the world,” were the words of the late Herbert Wigwe, the founder of Wigwe University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizzy, in the United States, was also a co-founder of Access Holdings (owners of Access Bank PLC).
The school, located in Isiokpo, Port Harcourt, when inaugurated in August 2024, could be Nigeria’s most expensive university, topping the likes of Covenant University, Otta; Nile University, Abuja; Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, and Baze University, Abuja, which are said to be some of Nigeria’s most expensive universities.
The varsity which is set to open its gates to its first set of students in August is also said to be run fully on 24-hour electricity and WiFi.
According to the school’s website, it also has an active conservation plan.
“With environmental protection as one of our eight sustainability pillars, we not only prioritise our impact but have looked to the area’s natural state to guide our campus design and planning.
“Port Harcourt’s tropical rainforest and indigenous plant species, lost through previous agricultural practices, are actively being reintroduced, whilst stormwater attenuation, vegetation, and fauna conservation direct our landscaping. Pedestrian, cyclist, and electric people-mover campus routes, along with forest walking/jogging/cycling trails, connect students to our surrounding environment, encouraging a lifelong love of nature,” it stated.
The university will offer a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges – the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, the College of Science and Computing, and the College of Engineering.
Since the school mentioned that it would commence its first session in August, it has set off public debates among educational stakeholders, parents, and prospective students.
Many have said the university would only just be for the elite who could afford it but would not be made available to the children of the poor.
However, some others on the other side of the divide, have said quality education does not come cheap, adding that anyone who can not afford it should go to a school they can afford.
With the fees said to be as high as N12m per session, the university could become, undoubtedly, Nigeria’s most expensive university.
A check on the school’s website shows that the cheapest fee is the College is Arts which stands at N9.6m.
Students taking courses in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing will pay a total fee of N11,998,800 each.
The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, health insurance, student membership in professional associations, student activities, and facilities maintenance.
There are also additional charges covering accommodation fees which include the luxury single-bedroom apartment plan at N1,000,000 per month, premium one en-suite bedroom plan at N3,845,000 per session, classic one plan at N3,707,000 per session and classic two plan at N3,500,000 per session.
The management of the university, while defending its decision to charge in dollars, recently stated that home students would pay their fees in naira, while international students could select the dollar payment option.
It also said the decision was a strategic one that aligned with its vision to attract a diverse and international student body.
School’s defence
Defending the fees, the university said it was unwavering in its commitment to excellence in education and the shaping of future African leaders.
It said, “Our purpose is to build and nurture truly responsible, fearless leaders that will drive transformative change in Nigeria and Africa. We recognise that the realisation of sustainable progress in Africa hinges on the cultivation of leaders who are not only academically proficient but also possess a relentless obligation to change the current narrative of Africa and its people.
“Wigwe University stands apart as an educational institution with its unique mission to go beyond providing a world-class education. We believe it is just as important to inspire greatness and develop a fearless spirit in our students that will lead to positive change in the world.”
It also described the institution as a seat of learning, where knowledge, resilience, innovation, ethical leadership, social responsibility, and national progress were intertwined, adding distinguished faculty, mentorship programs, and extracurricular activities were “all designed to provide an exceptional, thought-provoking environment that produces great leaders”.
“From the moment our students pass through our doors, they begin a substantive programme where they will be developed into fearless leaders ready to take on the many important challenges of the world. We view each student as a beacon of hope and a baton of positive change for a better Africa.
“We do more than award degrees; we are here to make history. This is what it means to be fearless,” part of an opening statement on its website read.
The varsity, however, said it offered a flexible payment plan “to ensure that high-quality education remains within reach because we understand that it’s the only pathway to Africa’s progress”.
The options are the student loans from Access Bank and the payment in two installments per session.
It, however, noted that the accommodation fee of N1m must be paid in full.
Before his death, Wigwe, speaking on the prospects of the university, said it was a culmination of his lifelong ambition.
“Thus Wigwe University is the African gateway to the world of entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and impact,” he said.
The school’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Miles Davis, was until recently, the President of Linfield University, a private liberal arts university, in Portland, Oregon, United States.
Nigeria’s varsity education penetration
US factors contributing to the unequal distribution of educational opportunities across socioeconomic lines.
While the country boasts a growing number of universities, both public and private, significant challenges persist, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds.
The multifaceted challenges of university penetration and lack of access for the poor in Nigeria, taking into account issues such as high tuition fees, strikes in public universities, and others have become systemic barriers.
Financial barriers
One of the foremost challenges facing aspiring university students in Nigeria is the exorbitant cost of tuition fees.
According to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, the cost of university education has been steadily increasing over the years, placing higher education further out of reach for many Nigerians.
This financial burden is compounded by additional expenses such as accommodation, textbooks, and living costs, creating formidable barriers for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
As a result, many deserving students are unable to afford the high fees charged by both public and private universities, perpetuating a cycle of inequality and limiting access to higher education.
The persistent strikes and industrial actions in public universities exacerbate the challenges of access to higher education in Nigeria.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities and other academic unions frequently embark on strikes to protest inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, unpaid salaries, and other grievances.
These disruptions disrupt academic calendars, prolong students’ time to graduation, and undermine the quality of education. For students from low-income families who rely on public universities due to their affordability, the strikes pose a significant setback, further delaying their academic progress and limiting their prospects for the future.
Public universities in Nigeria are often plagued by underfunding, leading to overcrowded classrooms, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate resources.
The limited capacity of public institutions to accommodate the growing demand for higher education exacerbates the problem of access for aspiring students.
Despite efforts to expand the higher education sector, public universities remain under-resourced and unable to meet the needs of the burgeoning youth population. This lack of investment in public higher education perpetuates disparities in access and limits opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged students.
Beyond financial constraints and institutional challenges, systemic barriers and inequities further compound the issue of access to higher education in Nigeria.
Factors such as geographic location, gender, ethnicity, and disability status can influence students’ ability to access educational opportunities.
Students from marginalised communities, including rural areas and minority groups, face additional hurdles in accessing higher education, further widening the gap between the privileged and the marginalised.
Educationists divided
An educational consultant, Dr Gabriel Tunji, said while the high tuition fees charged by private universities in Nigeria might raise concerns about accessibility and affordability, they were often justified by the investments made to deliver high-quality education, maintain competitiveness, and sustain institutional excellence.
He said, “Private universities play a vital role in expanding access to higher education, fostering academic innovation, and preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
Also speaking, another educationist based in the United Arab Emirates, Mr Adewale Oke, said the country had a high access gap to higher education.
However, he added that any family who could not afford to pay the high fees of any of the expensive varsities should opt for cheaper ones. According to him, the higher fees are often a reflection of the enhanced learning experience and academic excellence provided by private universities.
He noted that, unlike public universities that rely heavily on government funding, private universities operate independently and are responsible for generating their revenue.
“Private universities typically invest significantly in providing high-quality education, often surpassing public institutions in terms of facilities, faculty qualifications, and resources. These institutions may offer smaller class sizes, modern infrastructure, well-equipped laboratories, and access to updated curricula and technology.
“Without government subsidies, private universities must rely on tuition fees to cover operating costs, including faculty salaries, infrastructure maintenance, research initiatives, and administrative expenses. Higher tuition fees are essential for ensuring the financial sustainability and viability of private universities,” Oke added.
But an educational consultant based in Rivers State, Mr Ibietonye Phillips, said the fees paid by most of the varsities were too exorbitant and cut off access to the poor.
He said, “Certainly, accessibility to quality education is a fundamental concern, particularly in a country like Nigeria where socioeconomic disparities are prevalent. The exorbitant tuition fees charged by expensive universities create significant financial barriers for students from low-income backgrounds.
“Many deserving students may be unable to afford the high cost of tuition, even with scholarships or financial aid. As a result, they are effectively excluded from accessing the educational opportunities provided by these institutions.”
Further speaking, he said expensive universities might inadvertently perpetuate socioeconomic inequalities by catering primarily to students from privileged backgrounds who could afford the high fees. This, he said, could lead to a lack of diversity in student demographics, with enrollment skewed towards wealthier students.
“As a result, talented individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are denied the opportunity to access the quality education offered by these institutions, further widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
“While some expensive universities may offer scholarships and financial aid programs, these initiatives may be insufficient to address the financial needs of economically disadvantaged students. Limited scholarship funds and stringent eligibility criteria may prevent deserving students from accessing financial assistance, leaving them unable to afford the high tuition fees required for enrolment,” Phillips added.
Similarly, an engineer and mother of two school leavers, who said she wanted to be identified only as Mrs Glory, said though she did not want to have any business to do with public schools because of the incessant industrial actions, the cost of most public universities left with no other option than to opt for them for two of her sons who recently passed their United Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
“I told my children to put Lagos State University and the University of Lagos because that is what I can afford. Ordinarily, I would have loved them to go to one of the high and mighty schools, not just for the knowledge, but for the connection,” she said.
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