By The Brain Magazine Editorial Desk
Cries from Frustrated Parents across board
It was a calm morning at exactly 6:00 a.m. when my phone rang 16 times. The persistence was unusual. On answering them one after the other was heavy voices with disappointment and exhaustion; echoed through the line. It was the agitation of some student's parents desperate and disillusioned, narrating how their sons and daughters, after investing so much effort and money in the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) program, Pre-degree was denied admission to studied their preffer course.
Their cry was, despite meeting every academic criterion, some of them was denied admission, while some was offered English Language, political science instead of Law or Engineering; a course far from their lifelong dream. They all lamented bitterly, “We paid so much for JUPEB, Diploma, studied hard, and did everything right. Yet, it all came down to who knows who.”
Their efforts to appeal the decision through official channels proved futile. The families story is a tragic reflection of many others who have become victims of a flawed admission process, where merit is often sacrificed on the altar of influence and systemic congestion.
Behind the Overcrowding: Lagos as the New Educational Refuge
The Lagos state version of the story cut our attention for more enquiries. In the course of investigation, The Brain Magazine discovered that the increasing influx of students to Lagos, particularly to LASU, is a direct outcome of insecurity and instability in many parts of the country. From the insurgencies in the North to kidnapping waves in the South East, Lagos State has become a symbol of peace, progress, and predictability in education.
“As the elders say, when the forest burns in the North, even the lizard will flee to the South for shade.”
Moreover, LASU stands out as:
One of the most secure tertiary institutions in Nigeria. A university with no record of prolonged ASUU strike; a rare achievement in today’s academic landscape.
One of the most affordable state universities, with tuition around ₦95,000, compared to others charging triple the amount.
These advantages make LASU the dream destination for parents and students seeking stability. But the unintended result is overcrowding, and with overcrowding comes admission racketeering, quota struggles, and political intrusion.
The Admission Web: How Merit Gets Lost
When The Brain Magazine spoke with a LASU stakeholder familiar with the admission process, a complex web of admission considerations was unveiled. Admission into many competitive faculties like Medicine, Engineering, Law and others are determined by:
- Indigeneship (Lagos State candidates take priority).
- Diploma in Law students seeking direct entry.
- JUPEB candidates from affiliated centers.
- JAMB Direct Entry applicants.
- Children of LASU staff and political figures. Such as Ruling party, House assembly, Local government, the King.
- Recommendations from influential, professionals class e.g law chambers, Medical Practitional Association, Engineering body.
Each of these categories demands a share of the limited quota. When the slots are exhausted, even deserving students; regardless of their brilliance; are left with lesser courses or none at all. It is like a door that thousands of people want to enter at a time, surely there would be stampeding. Moreso, for NUC to increase any school admission quota they looked into two things; Capital Formation (It is the infrastructure capacity of the institution to accommodate specific number of students) and Human formation(if their is enough manpower like lecturers and administrator to many the students capacity)
“When influence overshadows integrity, merit becomes an orphan.”
Lagos State Government: A Beacon of Hope Amid Challenges
Despite the glaring issues, one cannot dismiss the tremendous impact of the Lagos State Government on LASU and education as a whole. Successive administrations have invested heavily in infrastructure, digital transformation, and academic stability.
Key achievements include:
- Launch of the LASU Smart Campus Initiative, bringing digital learning and e-administration to the university.
- Provision of 24-hour power supply on campus; a rarity among public institutions.
- Accreditation of new faculties and professional programs by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
- Commitment to maintaining academic calendar stability without strike disruptions.
- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has particularly emphasized education as the foundation of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, promoting technological advancement, equitable access, and capacity development.
However, these efforts risk being overshadowed if the admission process remains riddled with favoritism and corruption. A strong foundation can only stand firm when fairness underpins the system.
The Way Forward: Charting a Path of Integrity and Innovation
To address this growing dilemma, a holistic approach is essential; one that combines transparency, expansion, and accountability.
1. LASU Administration
- Digitize the entire admission process to minimize human interference.
- Publish transparent annual admission reports detailing quota allocations and selection processes.
- Establish an Admission Ombudsman to handle petitions and ensure justice for aggrieved candidates.
- Collaborate with NUC to increase departmental quotas and accommodate the rising number of applicants.
2. Lagos State Government
- Expand LASU’s reach through additional campuses in Ikorodu, Epe, and Badagry to reduce congestion at Ojo.
- Strengthen oversight and policy enforcement to prevent political interference.
- Increase funding for faculties like Law, Medicine, and Engineering, which face the highest pressure.
3. Parents and Students
Diversify university options. There are credible private and federal universities with stable calendars.
Seek career guidance; excellence isn’t limited to Law or Medicine. Every field offers greatness when passion meets opportunity.
Parents should emphasize character and patience over shortcuts. Influence may buy admission, but not destiny.
Restoring the Soul of Education
The numerous parents early morning calls was not just a complaint; it was a cry for justice in a nation where fairness in education is fading. It represents the anguish of thousands of Nigerian families who still believe that hard work should matter.
LASU remains a shining star in Nigeria’s academic landscape stable, affordable, and progressive. Yet, the light must not be dimmed by the shadows of favoritism.
Education should be the great equalizer not a privilege traded in corridors of power. Until merit takes its rightful place once again, our universities will keep producing graduates who are qualified on paper but disillusioned in spirit.
“When justice is denied in education, the future is delayed in the nation.”
The Brain Magazine calls for collective responsibility; from government to university management, and from parents to policymakers. Only through integrity, transparency, and courage can Nigeria’s education system reclaim its lost glory.
