The National Education Policy has created circumstances to increase access to education. It further specifies that every effort would be made to ensure that those who can benefit from higher education have access to it. Regrettably, the Nigerian public has expressed unhappiness with higher education admittance now that there is widespread knowledge of the importance of university education in the development of the person and the nation. Today, access to higher education is a difficult issue in Nigeria. This paper investigated the barriers to university education, such as insufficient funding and leadership recklessness, a lack of absorption capacity, problems of accessibility and the quality of education in Nigeria. The report advocated for the establishment of new federal higher institutions, with enough funds and facilities/equipment. The catchment area/quota system should be reconsidered to allow for merit. The study suggested that human capital development should be prioritized for Nigeria to join the rest of the world in pursuing sustainable development.

Accessibility, Affordability, Quality, higher education