Private Universities Are Better Than Public Universities in Nigeria

Opposer’s POV

Written by Miriam Onyemenam

Good day, Mr. Chairman, the panel of judges, accurate timekeeper, my co-debaters, and fellow university students. Today, I am here to oppose the notion that private universities are better than public universities in Nigerian education. In fact, public universities have a lot to offer that private schools simply cannot, no matter how shiny their facilities are. Let me explain why.

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1. Affordability

Let’s start with the most obvious point: money. Public universities are far more affordable than private ones. With the state of Tinubu’s economy, not everyone has the luxury of paying millions in tuition fees. In public universities, you pay a fraction of what private students pay, yet you get the same degree at the end of the day.

Now, don’t get me wrong, education is an investment, but does it really make sense to invest millions when you can pay less and still get the job done? Many of Nigeria’s top professionals, from doctors to engineers to lawyers, graduated from public universities. You don’t need a golden toilet in your hostel to be successful in life. The knowledge is what matters, not how fancy the campus looks.

1.  Exposure to Real-Life Challenges

Public university students face real-life challenges that private university students may never experience. ASUU strikes, overcrowded classes, the hustle and bustle—these might seem like drawbacks, but in reality, they toughen you up. Public university students learn how to navigate life’s uncertainties and still come out on top.

When you survive the ups and downs of a public university, you build a certain level of grit and street sense that private university students just can’t relate to. You’ve learned to adapt to situations, and you know how to get creative when faced with limited resources. This kind of resilience is essential in the real world, especially in a country like Nigeria where nothing comes easy. 

1. Diverse Student Population

Let’s talk about diversity. Public universities are melting pots of students from all walks of life: different tribes, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. You get to experience life with people who may not think or live like you. You interact with the rich, the middle-class, and the not-so-privileged. It’s a real reflection of Nigeria, and it gives you a more well-rounded view of life.

Private universities, on the other hand, often attract students from similar socio-economic backgrounds, which limits exposure to diversity. In public universities, you learn to navigate relationships with people who have different perspectives, and this prepares you for the multi-faceted nature of life after school.

1. More Flexibility and Independence

Unlike private universities, where students are micromanaged with strict rules and schedules, public universities offer more freedom and independence. Private universities have rules for everything: from what you can eat to when you should sleep. No offense, but it’s giving secondary school. The only difference is their students don’t wear uniforms. Oh, wait…they do.

In public schools, however, you’re treated like an adult. You learn to take charge of your life and manage your time effectively. You learn to make decisions without having someone breathing down your neck 24/7. In the real world, no one will baby you or make sure you’re on time for every task, and that’s something public university students know all too well.

1. Quality of Education

Don’t let anyone deceive you, public universities still have some of the best lecturers in the country. While private universities might have fancier facilities, public universities have professors and lecturers with decades of experience in their fields. These are people who have written textbooks, presented research at international conferences, and produced some of the brightest minds in Nigeria.

Just because a lecture hall isn’t air-conditioned doesn’t mean the knowledge being passed isn’t valuable. Public university lecturers are tough because they know what it takes to survive and thrive in the real world. The education you get in a public university is not just academic, it’s holistic.

True education goes beyond luxury and aesthetics. It’s about grit, resilience, and the ability to adapt. Public universities may not offer the benefits that private institutions do, but they prepare you for the reality of life outside the lecture hall. If you want an education that mirrors the real world, where problem-solving and survival skills are just as important as academic knowledge, public universities are where you’ll get that edge.

With these few points of mine, I hope I have convinced you and not confused you that public universities are better than private universities in Nigerian university education. Thank you.

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