Kunle Adelabu
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Lagos State, Mr Waheed Kasali has stated that the state would continue to provide opportunities for its youths especially in the area of education, adding that two additional universities would be available to accommodate JAMB candidates next year.
Mr Kasali also said that the Lagos State University (LASU) is the most sought-after state tertiary institution in the country with 60,000 and 70, 000 admission candidates applying for a space for 12, 000, and enjoined those writing JAMB and WAEC examinations in 2026 to consider the new universities.
The Permanent Secretary, who spoke at the career guidance and counselling programme organised and sponsored by the Achievers’ Crew in collaboration with the Igbogbo Day Planning Committee as part of the activities commemorating the 2025 Igbogbo Day Celebration, also said that more candidates are coming to school in Lagos because the state offers opportunities that other states are not offering their teeming youth population.
“There is a major challenge facing us in Lagos State today, our universities are the most sought – after due to massive applications and LASU is number in the country. This year, LASU received between 60,000 to 70,000 applications but only has space for about 12,000 students.
“Unfortunately, students do not know the opportunities available to them, when they come to my office, they always leave happier than they were before coming.
“Students must note that the state universities have their parameters for admission. These are statutory parameters for giving students admission and number one is to pick their indigenes first.
“Because of the challenges that we have in Nigeria today, people from Ondo. Oyo, Osun, Kwara and from the East all want to come to Lagos, because – the education is of high quality, and cheap.”
He further explained, “In Lagos, we have vision – which is to be Africa’s Model Mega City — a global economic and financial hub that is safe, secured, functional, and productive.”
Speaking about the available opportunities that is available in Lagos for candidates,
“By January, JAMB forms will be out. Don’t just buy but you must get it right in filing the form. For the 2026/27 admission year, new opportunities are opening in Lagos. We have two additional universities coming to Lagos. One has been passed. Kindly check your JAMB brochure. We have Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Federal University of Science and Technology.
“If you don’t know this, you will keep choosing only UNILAG and LASU, not knowing other doors are open.”
While he approved of the mass preference for Law, Medicine, Mass Communication, Computer Science and other traditional courses, the educationist and policy developer, charged prospective candidates to look toward the demands of the 5th Industrial Revolution which are Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Science, Machine Learning and other tech-related fields, because according to him, “Today’s world is moving towards these disciplines and they are courses of the future.”
“If you study English, you have opportunities too — in education, communication, corporate environments, and more. Just be job-specific about the course you choose. Don’t pick any course anyhow.”
Mr Kasali also urged JAMB candidates on the need to apply to Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) to study education and other courses therein because of opportunities that abound after graduation.
“We also have the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED). It is not only for education; they offer other courses too. Many young people say they don’t want to become teachers, and I don’t know why, but I started my career as a teacher, lectured at a college of education, and today I am here.
“Your beginning does not determine your limit — what matters is how you build yourself. Be Relevant,” he charged.
