Assessing the Impact of the Quota System on University Admissions in Nigeria: A Case Study of Federal and State Universities

Abstract

The quota system is a federal government policy formulated to bridge the gap between the educationally developed states and the educationally less developed states. Sequel to the enactment of the policy, the government established several universities across the country to create equal opportunity for all candidates. Despite the immeasurable importance of Western education and the need to increase the literacy level in Nigeria, some states still have the apathy to embrace Western education, hence the adoption of the quota system and catchment area policies. Relevant stakeholders expressed serious concerns on their perceived impact of the quota system and the catchment area on admissions into the federal and state universities in Nigeria. This study, therefore, analyses the operations of Nigerian Universities about the quota system policy (ELDs 20% Quota) during the admission processes. Research questions were raised to guide the study. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population for the study was 86 federal and state universities in Nigeria. A sample of 17 was drawn through a stratified proportionate sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.70. The finding reveals that the universities abuse the ELDs quota to favor some unqualified candidates of interest and also that the rationale for the policy formulation has not been met significantly.